Burgundy Willow

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall and lives for around 44 years. It is somewhat resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has several very thick, straight stems covered in smooth, dark green bark, and the wood inside is burgundy.

The branches are very short and thin that and are covered with small amounts of large, long, narrow, leaves with tattered edges. The leaves themselves are pink and hazel, light and leathery.

In early spring it produces many clusters of small, gentle yellow blossoms with circular petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They are hardy and have a scent that varies in strength that smells like grass cuttings.

In mid-autumn small finger-like fruits ripen. The rough crimson skin is thick and edible when roasted; it is sweet and savoury, and the very soft grey flesh is sweet and sour and dry. The cream seed is large and is in the centre of the fruit.