Copperwood

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 48 years. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of very thick, wonky stems covered in delicate, rough, brown-green bark, and the wood inside is copper-coloured.

The branches are short stubs with thousands of twigs that and are covered with copious amounts of small, long, tapering, leaves with irregular edges. The leaves themselves are bronze and olive, durable and fuzzy.

In early summer it produces many large, aquamarine blossoms with broad, flat petals. They detach easily and have the faintest scent that smells like chocolate.

In midwinter small asymmetrical fruits ripen. The smooth lime skin is thick and spicy, and the slightly crunchy blood red flesh is salty and oily. The caramel seed is tiny and sits at the top of the fruit.