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Goldenbellvine

Shrub type: Deciduous (Grows upwards by winding itself around other objects and plants.)

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 3 feet (91.4 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 168 years old. It is not very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has numerous knobbly, slanted stems covered in smooth, dark gray bark, and the wood inside is pine-coloured.

The branches trail down to the ground with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with small bunches of miniature, finger-like, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are solid ashy purple with gold edges, light and waxy.

In mid-summer it produces several giant, gold blossoms with wide petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They fall easily and have a weak scent that smells like garlic.

In late autumn tiny needle-like fruits ripen. The sticky green skin is delicate and sweet, and the crunchy brown flesh is spicy and dry. The olive seeds are small and are located in the centre of the fruit.

It is suitable for creating tough, hard-wearing textiles
It makes a distinctive sound when the wind blows through it.
All parts of the bine are edible.