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Copperleaf

Shrub type: Deciduous (Stores water in its leaves)

This large shrub grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and lives for around 22 years. It is somewhat resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of slender, straight stems covered in hard, rough, copper-coloured bark, and the wood inside is mahogany-coloured.

The branches are long and thin with thousands of twigs that and are covered with handfuls of huge, asymmetrical, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are black and dark purple, hardy and rough.

In mid-summer it produces hundreds of medium-sized, light green blossoms with 6 oval-shaped shaped petals. They are very delicate and have a strong scent that smells like baby powder.

In midwinter tiny asymmetrical fruits ripen. The smooth hazel skin is peel-able and edible when roasted; it is savoury, and the crunchy beige flesh is sweet and spicy and syrupy. The yellow seeds are tiny and are bunched at the bottom of the fruit.

It is suitable for creating strong, durable textiles
It makes a distinctive sound when the wind blows through it.
It is frequently struck by lightning.