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Blackfruit Tree

Fruit Tree type: Deciduous (Stores water in its stem)

This modest-sized fruit tree grows up to 15 feet (4.6 meters) tall and lives for up to 10 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 30 years old. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has a slender, twisting trunk covered in paper-thin, rough, black bark, and inside, the dense wood is black with white speckles.

The small handful of branches trail down across the ground and are covered with very large amounts of miniature, very narrow and elongated leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are a shade of moss green that gradient shifts to dark grey at the top.

In early spring, it produces many medium-sized, slate blossoms with 2 pointed petals with a tube-like floral cup. They are sturdy and have a soft scent that smells like rotten meat.

In mid-summer it produces small, slender, 5 pointed fruit. The fuzzy orange skin is delicate and inedible, and the slightly crunchy magenta flesh is salty and very dry. The blood red seeds are small and are located in the centre of the fruit.

The roots are fine and grow in a large web, and overall the tree is sturdy, flexible, and difficult to uproot or break.

Forests of this species feature the trees packed together, with clear space between them.

It is suitable for creating flexible, durable textiles
It is difficult to kill and will quickly regrow if cut.
It spreads easily and often blanket large areas.