Waterstem Bush

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 3 feet (91.4 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 137 years old. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has numerous sturdy, slanted stems covered in very thick, cracked, gray bark, and the wood inside is pale brown.

The branches are short, rigid and upright with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with large amounts of huge, thick, leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are either subtle yellow, or pale green with olive edges, frail and rough.

In mid-summer it produces copious amounts of giant, magenta blossoms with pleated petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They detach easily and have a delicate scent that smells like wet dog.

In late winter tiny circular fruits ripen. The crispy beige skin is stretchy and edible when roasted; it is very savoury, and the crunchy pale green flesh is savoury and syrupy. The beige seeds are large and are scattered throughout the fruit.