<previous next>

Copperleaf

Shrub type: Deciduous (Grows along the ground or other low surfaces.)

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 81 years. It is very susceptible to disease and insect infestation.

It has dozens of wide, wonky stems covered in knobbly, yellow bark, and the wood inside is mahogany-coloured.

The branches are tall, rigid and upright with thousands of twigs that and are covered with copious amounts of large, very thick, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are found in hazel, copper and red varieties, rigid and waxy.

In mid-summer it produces lots of medium-sized, beige blossoms with wide petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They are sturdy and have an intensely strong scent that smells like freshly washed clothes.

In midwinter small broad, flat fruits ripen. The smooth violet skin is delicate and edible when roasted; it is sweet, and the slightly crunchy hazel flesh is sweet and spicy and oily. The slate seed is tiny and sits at the end of the fruit.

It is suitable for creating flexible, durable textiles
It is difficult to kill and will quickly regrow if cut.