Burgundy Needlebush

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 145 years old. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has numerous long and flexible, wonky stems covered in waxy, brown bark, and the wood inside is burgundy.

The branches are tall, rigid and upright with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with copious amounts of miniature, needle-like, leaves with jagged edges. The leaves themselves are solid dark brown with green edges, strong and crispy.

In mid-spring it produces a handful of giant, crimson blossoms with asymmetrical petals with a tube-like floral cup. They are very delicate and have the faintest scent that smells like sweat.

In early winter asymmetrical fruits ripen. The soft caramel skin is tough and inedible, and the very soft purple flesh is sour and sticky. The faded red seed is tiny and sits at the top of the fruit.