Copperleaf Tree

This short fruit tree grows up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and lives for up to 25 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 27 years old. It is somewhat resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has a very thick, straight trunk covered in hard, knobbly, copper-coloured bark, and inside, the soft wood is brown.

The branches trail down towards the ground and are covered with large amounts of giant, needle-like leaves with toothed edges. The leaves themselves are either crimson, or violet with pink dots.

In early spring, it produces copious amounts of small, cyan blossoms with broad, flat petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They are very delicate and have a faint scent that smells like fish.

In late summer it produces small, asymmetrical fruit. The smooth copper skin is tough and inedible, and the soft violet flesh is sweet and sticky. The slate seeds are small and are located in the centre of the fruit.

The roots are fine and grow in a large web, and overall the tree is sturdy, flexible, and difficult to uproot or break.

Forests of this species feature the trees packed together densely, with the space between filled with undergrowth.