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Turquoise Fireweed

Flower type: Annual (Stores water in its stem)

This small flower grows up to 3 inches (8 cm) tall. Its turquoise or cyan stems grow in bunches of 5 and are wispy with a curved tip, and the tiny, green leaves are 7 pointed with smooth edges. 17 leaves grow at the base of the stem.

Hundreds of large flowers grow along the length of the stem. The flowers are 1 cm (0.4 inches) wide, with petals that are either lilac or peach, with a yellow center. The flower head is an uncoordinated mess of 11 curved petals. They are very delicate.

It has an intense scent that smells like mango, and it has very little pollen. It is pollinated by insects and is particularly attractive to a specific species.

The colour changes depends on whether the soil is acidic or alkaline.
All parts of the shrub are edible.
It is suitable for making strong rope