Clinging Willow

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 19 years. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of branched, wonky stems covered in paper-thin, rough, black with white speckled bark, and the wood inside is black with white speckles.

The branches are short, rigid and upright with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with copious amounts of small, circular, leaves with irregular edges. The leaves themselves are grey and azure, frail and soft.

In early summer it produces handfuls of medium-sized, brown blossoms with 8 triangular shaped petals. They detach easily and have no scent.

In early winter needle-like fruits ripen. The sticky beige skin is thick and inedible, and the crunchy vibrant green flesh is sour and sticky. The brown seed is small and is in the centre of the fruit.