Clinging Hazelnut

This short fruit tree grows up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall and lives for up to 20 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 39 years old. It is somewhat resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has a very thick, angular trunk covered in knobbly, light brown bark, and inside, the very dense wood is brown.

The numerous branches trail down to the ground and are covered with very large amounts of huge, shield-shaped leaves with jagged edges. The leaves themselves are dull green and crimson.

In early spring, it produces bunches of medium-sized, purple blossoms with kidney-shaped shaped petals. They fall easily and have an overpowering scent that smells like cheese.

In mid-autumn it produces small, broad, flat fruit. The smooth azure skin is tough and inedible, and the crunchy hazel flesh is bitter and salty and syrupy. The yellow seeds are small and are bunched at the top of the fruit.

The roots spread far and go deep underground, and overall the tree is sturdy and difficult to uproot.

Forests of this species feature the trees packed together densely, with clear space between them.