Copperleaf

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 34 years. It is very susceptible to disease and insect infestation.

It has numerous long and flexible, slanted stems covered in wrinkled, burgundy bark, and the wood inside is pale brown.

The branches are very long and thin with dozens of twigs that and are covered with small amounts of giant, pleated, leaves with wavy edges. The leaves themselves are solid lime with indigo dots, frail and rough.

In early summer it produces handfuls of large, copper blossoms with sickle shaped petals with a tube-like floral cup. They are sturdy and have a faint scent that smells like faeces.

In early autumn finger-like fruits ripen. The rough magenta skin is thick and inedible, and the soft brown flesh is sweet and spicy and oily. The intense orange seed is small and is in the centre of the fruit.