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Copperwood

Shrub type: Deciduous (Stores water in the thickened base of its stem)

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 2 feet (61.0 cm) tall and lives for around 21 years. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of very thick, straight stems covered in hard, cracked, copper-coloured bark, and the wood inside is pale yellow.

The branches trail down towards the ground that and are covered with sparse amounts of large, wide, leaves with tattered edges. The leaves themselves are lilac and pastel green, hardy and crispy.

It produces hundreds of large, purple flowers with finger-like petals. They are sturdy and have a weak scent that smells like paint. In late autumn it forms medium-sizedcyan berries.

It is suitable for making baskets and the like
The sap is amber.
It usually houses a colony of beneficial insects.
The bark, wood and leaves are edible.