Waterstem Bush

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 147 years old. It is somewhat resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has many knobbly, straight stems covered in fine, waxy, dark brown bark, and the wood inside is dark brown.

The branches are very long and thin with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with sparse amounts of tiny, thick, leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are faded orange and blue, frail and waxy.

In mid-spring it produces thousands of giant, green blossoms with broad, flat petals with a tube-like floral cup. They are sturdy and have a weak scent that smells like rotten eggs.

In midwinter 3 pointed fruits ripen. The smooth lilac skin is stretchy and salty, and the slightly crunchy blood red flesh is sour and syrupy. The crimson seeds are small and are located in the centre of the fruit.