Watermelon Bush

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 72 years. It is very susceptible to disease and insect infestation.

It has several narrow, slanted stems covered in cracked, white with black speckled bark, and the wood inside is mahogany-coloured.

The branches are very short and thick with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with large amounts of miniature, long, tapering, leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are moss green with lime tips, delicate and leathery.

In early summer it produces lots of small, black flowers with wide petals. They detach easily and have a weak scent that smells like rich perfume.