Copperleaf

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 180 years old. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of long and flexible, crooked stems covered in thick, waxy, brown-green speckled bark, and the wood inside is mahogany-coloured.

The branches are short stubs that and are covered with very large amounts of giant, sickle shaped, leaves with rounded edges. The leaves themselves are blood red and copper, frail and covered in fine hairs.

In late summer it produces a handful of medium-sized, slate blossoms with broad, flat petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They fall easily and have no scent.

In early autumn triangular fruits ripen. The smooth hazel skin is thick and edible when cooked; it is sweet, and the crunchy blood red flesh is savoury and juicy. The dark brown seeds are tiny and are scattered throughout the fruit.