Copperbrush

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 19 years. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has numerous flexible, slanted stems covered in thin, smooth, copper-coloured bark, and the wood inside is black with white speckles.

The branches trail down towards the ground with dozens of twigs that and are covered with handfuls of large, finger-like, leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are solid lilac with orange splotches, sturdy and clammy.

In late summer it produces large amounts of large, olive blossoms with 4 pointed petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They are very delicate and have a delicate scent that smells like paint.

In late winter very large oval fruits ripen. The soft purple skin is thick and inedible, and the soft turquoise flesh is sweet and sticky. The brown seeds are small and are scattered throughout the fruit.