Clinging Vine Bush

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 2 feet (61.0 cm) tall and lives for around 23 years. It is very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has numerous very thick, slanted stems covered in thin, knobbly, black bark, and the wood inside is brown.

The branches trail down across the ground that and are covered with thick bunches of huge, long, narrow, leaves with tattered edges. The leaves themselves are found in dull orange, aquamarine and dark red varieties, tough and soft.

In early spring it produces many clusters of large, beige blossoms with wide petals. They are very delicate and have a soft scent that smells like sugar.

In early autumn stiff, pointed fruits ripen. The smooth ashy blue skin is tough and sweet and salty, and the soft grey flesh is bitter and powdery. The olive seeds are tiny and are bunched at the bottom of the fruit.