Copperleaf

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 3 feet (91.4 cm) tall and lives for around 44 years. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of very thick, straight stems covered in very thick, knobbly, dark green bark, and the wood inside is brown.

The branches are very short and slender with dozens of twigs that and are covered with handfuls of huge, wide, leaves with tattered edges. The leaves themselves are either olive, or white with sky blue splotches, durable and crispy.

In late spring it produces thousands of medium-sized, copper blossoms with 7 pointed petals. They detach easily and have a strong scent that smells like wet dog.

In early winter small long, tapering fruits ripen. The soft blue skin is thin and salty, and the very soft white flesh is sweet and powdery. The cream seeds are tiny and are dotted around on the skin of the fruit.