arbutus

American  

[ahr-byoo-tuhs] / ɑrˈbyu təs /

noun

PLURAL

arbutuses

1. any of the evergreen shrubs or trees belonging to the genus Arbutus, of the heath family, especially A. unedo, of southern Europe, with scarlet berries, cultivated for ornament and food.

2. trailing arbutus.

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arbutus British  

/ ɑːˈbjuːtəs /

noun

1. any of several temperate ericaceous shrubs of the genus Arbutus, esp the strawberry tree of S Europe. They have clusters of white or pinkish flowers, broad evergreen leaves, and strawberry-like berries

2. See trailing arbutus

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Etymology

Origin of arbutus

1545–55; < New Latin, Latin: the wild strawberry tree

Example Sentences

The discovery of a fresco depicting a piece of round flatbread on a silver tray, surrounded by pomegranate, dates, nuts and arbutus fruits, caused a sensation when it was announced to the world in June.

From BBC

Pine and fir, punctuated by the rich amber hues of arbutus trees, create thick inland forests.

From The Guardian

As hummingbirds dart among arbutus trees, the gardenias and carissa flowering beneath a jacaranda scent the air near the door.

From Los Angeles Times

Where the rocks had spalled, the ledges were covered in moss and spiked with twisted red arbutus trees.

From New York Times

Keeping neighborhood covenants about tree height in mind, Crooks brought in mature trees like katsura, maples and arbutus for screening, planting dark-leafed smoke bushes for contrast.

From Seattle Times