Violetbrush

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 3 feet (91.4 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 150 years old. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has several wide, curved stems covered in knobbly, pine-coloured bark, and the wood inside is black.

The branches trail down across the ground with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with thick bunches of tiny, broad, flat, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are generally violet, hardy and covered in fine hairs.

In mid-spring it produces bunches of medium-sized, bronze blossoms with sickle shaped petals. They are sturdy and have a strong scent that smells like glue.

In late autumn small slender, 3 pointed fruits ripen. The crispy beige skin is tough and inedible, and the slightly crunchy brown flesh is bitter and very juicy. The brown seed is tiny and sits at the top of the fruit.