Serpentine Vinefruit

This average-sized fruit tree grows up to 11 feet (3.4 meters) tall and lives for up to 25 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 30 years old. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has a sturdy, straight trunk covered in thick, ridged, copper-coloured bark, and inside, the very hard wood is white.

The branches are short, rigid and upright and are covered with large amounts of huge, fan-like leaves with rounded edges. The leaves themselves are washed-out purple and gold.

In early spring, it produces clusters of giant, hazel blossoms with pleated petals. They detach easily and have a fairly strong scent that smells like pineapple.

In mid-autumn it produces small, spherical fruit. The crispy indigo skin is delicate and inedible, and the very soft indigo flesh is bitter and spicy and syrupy. The green seed is very large and sits at the end of the fruit.

The roots spread far and go deep underground, and overall the tree is sturdy, flexible, and difficult to uproot or break.

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