Pineapple Knobcone

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 43 years. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has many branched, angular stems covered in delicate, knobbly, burgundy and brown bark, and the wood inside is brown.

The branches trail down across the ground with dozens of twigs that and are covered with small amounts of huge, long, narrow, leaves with irregular edges. The leaves themselves are generally beige, tough and sticky.

In mid-summer it produces many clusters of giant, cyan blossoms with 4 teardrop-shaped shaped petals. They detach easily and have a faint scent that smells like pineapple.

In midwinter circular fruits ripen. The smooth caramel skin is delicate and inedible, and the soft beige flesh is sweet and juicy. The caramel seed is large and is in the centre of the fruit.