Blueberry Tree

This modest-sized fruit tree grows up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) tall and lives for up to 35 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 38 years old. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has a narrow, twisting trunk covered in hard, knobbly, light gray bark, and inside, the very hard wood is black with white speckles.

The thin clumps of branches trail down towards the ground and are covered with thick bunches of large, thick leaves with toothed edges. The leaves themselves are white and slate.

In early spring, it produces large amounts of small, blue blossoms with fan-like petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They fall easily and have a delicate scent that smells like vanilla.

In early winter it produces very large, wide fruit. The smooth dark purple skin is stretchy and edible when boiled; it is spicy and salty, and the crunchy azure flesh is sweet and savoury and powdery. The olive seeds are large and are bunched at the top of the fruit.

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

Forests of this species feature the trees packed together, with patches of undergrowth between them.