Strawberry Tree

Arbutus unedo

In Madrid’s plaza of Puerta del Sol

The most photographed of the city’s monuments

Is a sculpture of a bear leaning into a Strawberry Tree

El Oso y el Madrono in Spanish

Or The Bear and Strawberry Tree.

An emblem on the coat of arms of Madrid

Since the early Renaissance

Symbolizing the cooperation of church and state

In the management of pastures and trees.

Bears are apparently fond of the fruit called Koumara

As are goats and deer and young children

Which tastes like a woody strawberry when ripe

But bitter and nauseating before.

Madronos in Spanish or Corbezzolo in Italian

Bearberry in English or perhaps Apple of Cain or Cain Apple

Arbutus (arb-YEW-tus) means struggle.  

Unedo (YOU-nee-doe)  means “I eat only one” from the Latin unum edo.

StrawberryTree2.JPG

A bear and a madroño (strawberry tree) are the symbol of Madrid.