<previous next>

Silvervine

Shrub type: Deciduous (Grows upwards by winding itself around other objects and plants.)

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 134 years old. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has several long and flexible, angular stems covered in hard, knobbly, silver bark, and the wood inside is black with white speckles.

The branches are short stubs with dozens of twigs that and are covered with handfuls of huge, broad, flat, leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are found in peach, azure and light grey varieties, light and waxy.

In early spring it produces copious amounts of large, lime blossoms with 5 cylindrical shaped petals. They are hardy and have no scent.

In early autumn small circular fruits ripen. The smooth crimson skin is peel-able and edible when cooked; it is extremely bitter, and the very soft indigo flesh is sweet and dry. The brown seed is very large and sits at the end of the fruit.

It grows well in the sun and full shade.
It is suitable for making baskets and the like
The colour changes depends on whether the soil is acidic or alkaline.