Vinefruit Tree

This big fruit tree grows up to 24 feet (7.3 meters) tall and lives for up to 25 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 29 years old. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has a wide, angular trunk covered in thin, knobbly, silver and white bark, and inside, the very light wood is burgundy.

The small handful of branches are short and thin and are covered with large amounts of large, very narrow and elongated leaves with rounded edges. The leaves themselves are either cream or grey, with purple streaks.

In early spring, it produces several small, orange blossoms with long, tapering petals. They are very delicate and have an intense scent that smells like chocolate.

In early autumn it produces small, oval fruit. The fuzzy blood red skin is delicate and edible when cooked; it is sweet, and the slightly crunchy black flesh is sweet and powdery. The dark orange seeds are tiny and are bunched at the top of the fruit.

The roots grow as a near perfect mirror of the tree above, and overall the tree is sturdy and difficult to uproot.

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