Bloodfruit Tree

This small fruit tree grows up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall and lives for up to 10 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 25 years old. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has a branched, wavy trunk covered in hard, knobbly, gray bark, and inside, the very dense wood is yellow.

The sparse amount of branches are long and thin and are covered with copious amounts of giant, slender, pointed leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are found in blood red and blood red varieties.

In early spring, it produces several tiny, gentle yellow blossoms with 6 oblong shaped petals. They detach easily and have an intensely strong scent that smells like cherry.

In late autumn it produces tiny, long, straight fruit. The clammy pink skin is thin and edible when boiled; it is slightly savoury, and the soft bronze flesh is sweet and salty and syrupy. The red seed is small and is in the centre of the fruit.

The roots are shallow and widely spread, and overall the tree is sturdy and difficult to uproot.

Forests of this species feature trees spaced far apart, with grassy ground between them.