Burgundy Conifer

This large shrub grows up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 138 years old. It is very susceptible to disease and insect infestation.

It has many wide, crooked stems covered in thick, cracked, burgundy and brown bark, and the wood inside is yellow.

The branches are short, rigid and upright that and are covered with thick bunches of small, spear shaped, leaves with ripped edges. The leaves themselves are solid lime or blood red, with black splotches, rigid and covered in fine hairs.

In late summer it produces dozens of small, intense yellow blossoms with stiff, pointed petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They fall easily and have a delicate scent that smells like fish.

In midwinter small perforated fruits ripen. The fuzzy olive skin is stretchy and inedible, and the slightly crunchy indigo flesh is sweet and very dry. The silver seeds are small and are located in the centre of the fruit.