Violetblossom Shrub

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 3 feet (91.4 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 187 years old. It is very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has several flexible, wavy stems covered in rough, light brown bark, and the wood inside is burgundy-brown.

The branches trail down to the ground with dozens of twigs that and are covered with large amounts of small, crescent-shaped, leaves with toothed edges. The leaves themselves are generally violet, flimsy and rough.

In mid-spring it produces many balls of large, light orange blossoms with needle-like petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They are sturdy and have a weak scent that smells like alcohol.

In early autumn tiny long, curved fruits ripen. The leathery violet skin is delicate and bitter, and the soft indigo flesh is salty and very juicy. The green seeds are tiny and are dotted around on the skin of the fruit.