Copperleaf

This average-sized shrub grows up to 2 feet (61.0 cm) tall and lives for around 39 years. It is very susceptible to disease and insect infestation.

It has dozens of sturdy, straight stems covered in delicate, rough, dark brown bark, and the wood inside is light brown.

The branches are very long and thin with thousands of twigs that and are covered with copious amounts of huge, needle-like, leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are found in beige, lilac and olive varieties, resilient and waxy.

In early summer it produces several tiny, white blossoms with broad, flat petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They detach easily and have a fairly strong scent that smells like paint.

In late winter cuboid fruits ripen. The leathery dark grey skin is peel-able and inedible, and the slightly crunchy copper flesh is spicy and sticky. The grey seed is very large and sits at the top of the fruit.