Clinging Saltyfruit

This small fruit tree grows up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall and lives for up to 10 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 16 years old. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has a flexible, wonky trunk covered in paper-thin, rough, copper-coloured bark, and inside, the light wood is yellow-brown.

The branches are long and slender and are covered with small bunches of large, broad, flat leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are caramel at the bottom and dark grey with slate edges at the top.

In early spring, it produces lots of giant, pale red blossoms with long, narrow petals. They are very delicate and have a weak scent that smells like petrol.

In mid-autumn it produces small, perforated fruit. The hairy grey skin is peel-able and inedible, and the soft black flesh is salty and very juicy. The beige seed is large and is in the centre of the fruit.

The roots are fine and grow in a large web, and overall the tree is rigid and brittle.

Forests of this species feature the trees packed together, with clear space between them.