Copperfruit Tree

This small fruit tree grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and lives for up to 20 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 64 years old. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has a knobbly, straight trunk covered in smooth, yellow-brown bark, and inside, the light wood is burgundy-brown.

The tangled mess of branches are long and thin and are covered with large amounts of giant, thick leaves with tattered edges. The leaves themselves are pink on the sides and copper at the center.

In early spring, it produces several large, magenta blossoms with pleated petals with a tube-like floral cup. They detach easily and have an overpowering scent that smells like freshly washed clothes.

In late autumn it produces small, long, tapering fruit. The soft light brown skin is tough and edible when boiled; it is sour, and the very soft pink flesh is savoury and oily. The dark grey seeds are tiny and are scattered throughout the fruit.

The roots form a tightly packed ball, and overall the tree is sturdy and difficult to uproot.

Forests of this species feature the trees packed together densely, with the space between them filled with thick undergrowth.