Bloodvine

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 50 years. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has many thick, straight stems covered in ridged, burgundy and brown bark, and the wood inside is burgundy-brown.

The branches are very short and thin with thousands of twigs that and are covered with handfuls of small, asymmetrical, leaves with wavy edges. The leaves themselves are found in orange, blood red and black varieties, resistant and fuzzy.

In early spring it produces many giant, amber blossoms with flame-shaped shaped petals. They are very delicate and have a faint scent that smells like leather.

In early autumn long, narrow fruits ripen. The waxy blood red skin is peel-able and edible when roasted; it is spicy, and the slightly crunchy red flesh is sweet and oily. The brown seeds are tiny and are bunched at the top of the fruit.