Violet

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 55 years. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has numerous wide, angular stems covered in hard, waxy, white with black speckled bark, and the wood inside is mahogany-coloured.

The branches are short, rigid and upright that and are covered with small bunches of huge, wispy, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are peach and purple, light and waxy.

In early summer it produces handfuls of large, violet blossoms with 9 heart-shaped shaped petals. They fall easily and have a strong scent that smells like new carpet.

In late winter very large circular fruits ripen. The rough peach skin is tough and inedible, and the soft pink flesh is very savoury and dry. The orange seeds are large and are dotted around on the skin of the fruit.