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Crimson Succulent

Succulent type: Leaf succulent (Stores water in its leaves)

This modest-sized leaf succulent grows up to 26 feet (7.9 meters) tall. The thick stem is burgundy, and is covered in large amounts of flexible light grey spines. The wavy-edged, finger-like leaves are generally brilliant red. Small amounts of them grow from the base in a random bunch. The leaves are frail, and are very difficult to pull away.

It is very fast growing, taking 8 months to reach maturity. Once mature, and only under the right conditions, a handful of flowers, with petals that are generally turquoise; each flower tends to be a variation of this colour, grow at the top, reappearing after 2 years, but only when the conditions are right again. The flower head is largely flat with dozens of widely spaced round-tipped petals. It has a powerful scent that smells like marzipan.

The leaf succulent's skin is nearly impenetrable, the cream flesh is rough, and the dark grey sap is thin.

It is suitable for making paper
The sap causes itchiness of the skin
It is often home to a particular bird species.