Bittergold Tree

This small fruit tree grows up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall and lives for up to 20 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 41 years old. It is very susceptible to disease and insect infestation.

It has a very thick, straight trunk covered in fine, knobbly, black bark, and inside, the soft wood is yellow-brown.

The small handful of branches are very short, thin and wispy and are covered with thick bunches of tiny, very thick leaves with rounded edges. The leaves themselves are hazel with gold tips.

In early spring, it produces dozens of small, washed-out orange blossoms with circular shaped petals. They fall easily and have a weak scent that smells like alcohol.

In late autumn it produces small, crescent-shaped fruit. The clammy amber skin is stretchy and edible when boiled; it is sweet and bitter, and the crunchy deep blue flesh is bitter and oily. The gold seeds are small and are scattered throughout the fruit.

The roots are shallow and grow straight down, and overall the tree is sturdy, flexible, and difficult to uproot or break.

Forests of this species feature well-spaced trees, with grassy ground between them.