Copperleaf

This massive shrub grows up to 15 feet (4.6 meters) tall and lives for around 46 years. It is very susceptible to disease and insect infestation.

It has many slender, crooked stems covered in very thick, knobbly, copper-coloured bark, and the wood inside is black.

The branches trail down across the ground with thousands of twigs that and are covered with large amounts of large, asymmetrical, leaves with toothed edges. The leaves themselves are solid grey with green splotches, flimsy and leathery.

In mid-spring it produces thick bunches of medium-sized, dull orange blossoms with 5 circular shaped petals. They are sturdy and have a delicate scent that smells like roses.

In late autumn small long, curved fruits ripen. The smooth indigo skin is peel-able and bitter and spicy, and the crunchy gold flesh is savoury and powdery. The green seed is small and sits at the top of the fruit.