Burgundy Goldneedle

This big shrub grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and lives for around 44 years. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has numerous branched, curved stems covered in fine, smooth, gray bark, and the wood inside is black.

The branches are very long and thin that and are covered with copious amounts of small, needle-like, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are a shade of burgundy that gradient shifts to gold at the top, rigid and soft.

In early spring it produces copious amounts of large, magenta blossoms with kidney-shaped shaped petals. They are sturdy and have an overpowering scent that smells like leather.

In early autumn very large wide fruits ripen. The fuzzy hazel skin is delicate and edible when cooked; it is sweet and bitter, and the slightly crunchy blue flesh is spicy and dry. The slate seeds are tiny and are scattered throughout the fruit.