Thornberry Bush

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 26 years. It is somewhat resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has numerous wide, wonky stems covered in very thick, silky, gray bark, and the wood inside is gray.

The branches are tall, rigid and upright with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with sparse amounts of large, asymmetrical, leaves with toothed edges. The leaves themselves are crimson on the edges and cream at the center, light and smooth.

In early spring it produces thousands of tiny, bronze blossoms with stiff, pointed petals. They are sturdy and have a weak scent that smells like cheese.

In late autumn very large stiff, pointed fruits ripen. The hairy silver skin is thin and edible when roasted; it is bitter and salty, and the soft orange flesh is bitter and sour and sticky. The light yellow seeds are small and are bunched at the top of the fruit.