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Bloodfire Cactus

Succulent type: Caudiciform (Stores water in the thickened base of its stem)

This average-sized caudiciform grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall. The pleated stem is black and subtle orange, and is covered in thick sheets of flexible gold spines. The wavy, crimson trunk can grow to as much as 5 feet (1.5 meters) in diameter at the bottom. Its red branches are tall, rigid and upright and start growing at the top the stem.

The thick bunches of serrated-edged, long, narrow leaves are either pink or vibrant purple, with silver lines. They are flimsy, but are very difficult to pull away.

It is slow growing, taking 3 years to reach maturity. Once mature, several flowers with each petal a slightly different shade of caramel grow at the top, reappearing every year. The flower head is shaped like a dish made up of 7 tightly layered, narrow petals. It has a weak scent that smells like blood.

The caudiciform's skin is delicate, the deep orange flesh is soft, and the blue sap is thin and causes diarrhea if consumed.

It is suitable for creating tough, hard-wearing textiles
It makes a distinctive sound when the wind blows through it.
Once on fire, it burns very quickly.