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 • Jul. 18, 2023

The deck, now heat- and slip-resistant white porcelain tile instead of red brick, steps down from the back door and stretches toward an arbutus tree whose flowers and fruit attract hummingbirds and swallowtails.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2019

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

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2019

“Epigea” refers to Epigaea repens, commonly known as trailing arbutus or mayflower: a low-growing shrub that produces clusters of pink flowers.

From Slate • May 17, 2016

A little later they visit the willow catkins to suck the nectar secreted by these blossoms, and still later they hover about the delicate blossoms of the mayflower, or trailing arbutus, for a similar purpose.

From Butterflies Worth Knowing by Weed, Clarence M.