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Waterstem Bush

Shrub type: Deciduous (Stores water in its stem)

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 126 years old. It is very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has several stocky, wavy stems covered in ridged, mahogany-coloured bark, and the wood inside is brown.

The branches are very long and slender with dozens of twigs that and are covered with small bunches of miniature, thick, leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are found in cyan and magenta varieties, rigid and fuzzy.

In early spring it produces a handful of small, violet flowers with stiff, pointed petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They are hardy and have a strong scent that smells like ashes.

The bark, wood and leaves are edible.
It absorbs an exceptionally large amount of water each day.
It is suitable for creating fine, soft textiles
It commonly grows in large patches.