Burgundy Needlefruit

This big shrub grows up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall and lives for around 90 years. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of flexible, twisting stems covered in very thick, rough, burgundy bark, and the wood inside is brown.

The branches are long and slender with thousands of twigs that and are covered with very large amounts of miniature, finger-like, leaves with rounded edges. The leaves themselves are green with dark red tips, rigid and leathery.

In late summer it produces balls of medium-sized, white blossoms with stiff, pointed petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They detach easily and have the faintest scent that smells like pot-purri.

In early winter very large needle-like fruits ripen. The smooth white skin is peel-able and edible when boiled; it is sour, and the soft crimson flesh is slightly sweet and very juicy. The white seeds are large and are located in the centre of the fruit.