Magenta Olive

This small fruit tree grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and lives for up to 30 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 39 years old. It is somewhat resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has a long and flexible, straight trunk covered in delicate, silky, brown-green speckled bark, and inside, the very light wood is mahogany-coloured.

The numerous branches are short, rigid and upright and are covered with large amounts of huge, thick leaves with toothed edges. The leaves themselves are magenta on the sides and lilac at the center.

In early spring, it produces handfuls of small, subtle orange blossoms with broad, flat petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They are sturdy and have the faintest scent that smells like leather.

In mid-autumn it produces tiny, long, curved fruit. The hairy amber skin is peel-able and edible when cooked; it is sour, and the crunchy magenta flesh is spicy and oily. The olive seed is large and sits at the top of the fruit.

The roots are long and grow straight down, and overall the tree is rigid and brittle.

Forests of this species feature well-spaced trees, with the space between them filled with thick undergrowth.