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Amberleaf

Shrub type: Deciduous (Stores water in the thickened base of its stem)

This average-sized shrub grows up to 3 feet (91.4 cm) tall and lives for around 14 years. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has several stocky, curved stems covered in hard, waxy, brown and grey bark, and the wood inside is pale yellow.

The branches are tall, rigid and upright with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with thick bunches of huge, cylindrical, leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are brown and light grey, resistant and soft.

In mid-spring it produces several medium-sized, amber blossoms with broad, flat petals with a tube-like floral cup. They detach easily and have an intensely strong scent that smells like mint.

In early autumn tiny circular fruits ripen. The sticky purple skin is thin and inedible, and the very soft amber flesh is sweet and salty and dry. The orange seeds are small and are bunched at the top of the fruit.

It has impressive regenerative properties.
It is suitable for making paper
It grows well in the sun and full shade.