Violetbell

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 46 years. It is not very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has numerous very thick, straight stems covered in fine, wrinkled, black bark, and the wood inside is yellow.

The branches are long and thick with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with very large amounts of large, sickle shaped, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are lilac and green, resistant and leathery.

In early spring it produces thick bunches of giant, slate blossoms with asymmetrical petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They are very delicate and have a strong scent that smells like citrus.

In late autumn oval fruits ripen. The crispy violet skin is peel-able and inedible, and the soft peach flesh is sour and dry. The red seeds are large and are bunched at the bottom of the fruit.