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Crimson Sicklefern

Shrub type: Coniferous (Stores water in its leaves)

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 37 years. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of long and flexible, angular stems covered in thin, waxy, white with black speckled bark, and the wood inside is pale brown-grey.

The branches trail down across the ground with dozens of twigs that and are covered with large amounts of huge, sickle shaped, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are green and lilac, durable and sticky.

In early summer it produces a handful of tiny, crimson blossoms with long, tapering petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They are sturdy and have a weak scent that smells like pepper.

In early autumn small cuboid fruits ripen. The waxy cyan skin is stretchy and edible when cooked; it is sweet, and the very soft light red flesh is spicy and syrupy. The brown seeds are large and are located in the centre of the fruit.

It is suitable for creating strong, durable textiles
It is excellent at collecting and storing carbon dioxide