Barkwillow

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 138 years old. It is not very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of narrow, twisting stems covered in very thick, silky, brown-green bark, and the wood inside is white.

The branches are tall, rigid and upright with dozens of twigs that and are covered with large amounts of miniature, slender, pointed, leaves with wavy edges. The leaves themselves are either caramel, or yellow with beige patches, resilient and rough.

In mid-summer it produces several large, cream blossoms with spear shaped petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They fall easily and have an overpowering scent that smells like cigarette smoke.

In late winter small asymmetrical fruits ripen. The smooth azure skin is stretchy and edible when roasted; it is bitter and savoury, and the very soft yellow flesh is spicy and syrupy. The brilliant green seeds are tiny and are scattered throughout the fruit.