Copperleaf

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 43 years. It is not very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has numerous knobbly, straight stems covered in thin, ridged, copper-coloured bark, and the wood inside is white with black speckles.

The branches are very long, thin and wispy with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with handfuls of giant, very thick, leaves with ripped edges. The leaves themselves are found in pastel orange and red varieties, tough and waxy.

In late summer it produces copious amounts of tiny, indigo blossoms with many layers of petals. They are sturdy and have a strong scent that smells like a woman.

In early winter 9 pointed fruits ripen. The sticky olive skin is stretchy and sweet, and the soft pastel purple flesh is sweet and oily. The bronze seeds are large and are bunched at the bottom of the fruit.