Copperfruit

This short fruit tree grows up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and lives for up to 25 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 56 years old. It is very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has a thick, straight trunk covered in very thick, waxy, brown and grey bark, and inside, the dense wood is white.

The small handful of branches are short stubs and are covered with small bunches of miniature, sickle shaped leaves with rounded edges. The leaves themselves are solid vibrant purple or copper, with olive lines.

In early spring, it produces many bunches of giant, black blossoms with 6 pointed petals with a tube-like floral cup. They fall easily and have a delicate scent that smells like pine needles.

In early autumn it produces , cuboid fruit. The waxy turquoise skin is stretchy and edible when roasted; it is extremely spicy, and the crunchy orange flesh is sour and savoury and powdery. The light brown seed is small and sits at the end of the fruit.

The roots spread far and go deep underground, and overall the tree is rigid and weak, and breaks apart easily.

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