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Copperbrush

Shrub type: Coniferous (Stores water in its leaves)

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 190 years old. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has several branched, slanted stems covered in smooth, mahogany-coloured bark, and the wood inside is copper-coloured.

The branches trail down towards the ground with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with small amounts of large, wide, leaves with rounded edges. The leaves themselves are generally lilac, delicate and leathery.

It produces several tiny, blood red flowers with perforated petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They are hardy and have a soft scent that smells like skunk spray. In mid-autumn it forms smallsilver, winged seeds that spin and fall nearby.

It is often home to a particular bird species.
It can flourish even in standing water.
It is suitable for creating flexible, durable textiles
It makes a distinctive sound when the wind blows through it.