Bloodfruit Tree

This small fruit tree grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and lives for up to 25 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 38 years old. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has a narrow, straight trunk covered in delicate, wrinkled, burgundy and brown bark, and inside, the very hard wood is silver.

The branches are tall, rigid and upright and are covered with very large amounts of tiny, stiff, pointed leaves with toothed edges. The leaves themselves are slate with gold tips.

In early spring, it produces a thick sheet of large, blood red blossoms with 4 heart-shaped shaped petals. They are hardy and have an intensely strong scent that smells like coconut.

In early winter it produces , long, curved fruit. The fuzzy green skin is thick and inedible, and the slightly crunchy amber flesh is sweet and savoury and syrupy. The gold seed is small and sits at the top of the fruit.

The roots spread far and go deep underground, and overall the tree is sturdy, flexible, and difficult to uproot or break.

Forests of this species feature the trees packed together densely, with the space between them filled with thick undergrowth.