Copperbud

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 35 years. It is very susceptible to disease and insect infestation.

It has several long and flexible, angular stems covered in fine, cracked, gray bark, and the wood inside is yellow-brown.

The branches trail down across the ground that and are covered with small amounts of tiny, very narrow and elongated, leaves with ripped edges. The leaves themselves are emerald with hazel tips, hardy and clammy.

In early summer it produces handfuls of small, copper blossoms with pleated petals. They are sturdy and have a faint scent that smells like fish.

In midwinter tiny broad, flat fruits ripen. The waxy aquamarine skin is stretchy and inedible, and the slightly crunchy magenta flesh is bitter and oily. The blood red seeds are tiny and are located in the centre of the fruit.