Aquaflame Tree

This short fruit tree grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and lives for up to 45 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 48 years old. It is very susceptible to disease and insect infestation.

It has a very thick, wonky trunk covered in paper-thin, ridged, silver and white bark, and inside, the very dense wood is white.

The branches trail down towards the ground and are covered with handfuls of miniature, umbrella-shaped leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are solid turquoise or dark yellow, with beige streaks.

In early spring, it produces handfuls of small, orange blossoms with long, narrow petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They fall easily and have a strong scent that smells like damp.

In early autumn it produces , long, narrow fruit. The crispy dark grey skin is tough and edible when roasted; it is overwhelmingly bitter, and the crunchy aquamarine flesh is sweet and spicy and syrupy. The bronze seeds are large and are scattered throughout the fruit.

The roots are shallow and widely spread, and overall the tree is sturdy and rigid.

Forests of this species feature well-spaced trees, with clear space between them.