Copperbell

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 157 years old. It is very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has numerous slender, wonky stems covered in fine, smooth, copper-coloured bark, and the wood inside is pale brown.

The branches are very long and thick that and are covered with small amounts of miniature, circular, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are found in beige, sky blue and slate varieties, durable and rough.

In late spring it produces large amounts of tiny, copper blossoms with pleated petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They are very delicate and have a weak scent that smells like misty mornings.

In mid-autumn fan-like fruits ripen. The rough turquoise skin is peel-able and sweet, and the slightly crunchy pastel purple flesh is sweet and oily. The bronze seed is very large and is in the centre of the fruit.