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Copperbell

Succulent type: Caudiciform (Stores water in the thickened base of its stem)

This small caudiciform grows up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall. The thick stem is brown, and is covered in many flexible light grey spines. The stumpy, hazel trunk can grow to as much as 6 feet (1.8 meters) in diameter. Its moss green branches are tall, rigid and upright.

The ripped-edged, wispy leaves are solid copper with cream edges. They are frail, and are very difficult to pull away.

It is slow growing, taking 8 years to reach maturity. Once mature, and only under the right conditions, a single flower with petals that are green on the underside and peach on the top grows at the top, reappearing after 10 years, but only when the conditions are right again. The flower head is made up of 5 petals in raised layers. It has an overpowering scent that smells like warm cookies.

The caudiciform's skin is thin, the gentle blue flesh is smooth, and the copper sap is thin.

It is suitable for creating tough, hard-wearing textiles
It absorbs an exceptionally large amount of water each day.