Clinging Ashfruit

This small fruit tree grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and lives for up to 40 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 64 years old. It is very susceptible to disease and insect infestation.

It has a narrow, straight trunk covered in paper-thin, knobbly, white with black speckled bark, and inside, the very dense wood is dark brown.

The thin clumps of branches trail down towards the ground and are covered with copious amounts of giant, asymmetrical leaves with toothed edges. The leaves themselves are found in dark grey, slate and blue varieties.

In early spring, it produces bunches of small, beige blossoms with fan-like petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They are very delicate and have a delicate scent that smells like ashes.

In early winter it produces small, perforated fruit. The waxy copper skin is thick and inedible, and the slightly crunchy azure flesh is sweet and very dry. The red seeds are large and are dotted around on the skin of the fruit.

The roots grow as a near perfect mirror of the tree above, and overall the tree is sturdy, flexible, and difficult to uproot or break.

Forests of this species feature the trees packed together, with the space between filled with undergrowth.