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The distribution range in Gran Canaria of the two species of Arbutus cited the island, the endemic Arbutus canariensis and the introduced Arbutus unedo, has been a confusing subject. In this paper, the corology of both species on the island and the first record of the hybrid Arbutus ×androsterilis in Gran Canaria are presented. This a very relevant information for the management on this island of both: the rare Canarian strawberry tree and the Mediterranean strawberry tree, the second considered as an invasive exotic species, and included in the Spanish catalogue of invasive exotic species for the Canary Islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The ethanol and acetone/water extracts of Cistus ladanifer and Arbutus unedo L. were characterised concerning the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, presenting relatively high values when compared with other species described in the literature. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method in terms of EC50, using trolox as standard reference. The extracts of both species showed scavenging activity for the DPPH radical. Extracts bioactivities were also tested by the evaluation of the viability effects on human fibroblasts primary culture cells. Viability studies were performed by MTT method. Both extracts are bioactive; C. ladanifer extracts were associated with an inhibitory effect and A. unedo L. were associated with an induced effect on cells viability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]