Bitterblue Tree

This modest-sized fruit tree grows up to 10 feet (3.0 meters) tall and lives for up to 40 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 53 years old. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has a flexible, straight trunk covered in paper-thin, ridged, light gray bark, and inside, the dense wood is pale brown-grey.

The sparse amount of branches are tall, rigid and upright and are covered with thick bunches of small, fan-like leaves with rounded edges. The leaves themselves are either purple or silver, with white dots.

In early spring, it produces thousands of tiny, black blossoms with circular petals. They are very delicate and have a mildly strong scent that smells like lavender.

In mid-summer it produces small, broad, flat fruit. The leathery sky blue skin is delicate and edible when cooked; it is very bitter, and the crunchy amber flesh is very bitter and sticky. The slate seeds are small and are bunched at the top of the fruit.

The roots are long and grow straight down, and overall the tree is rigid and brittle.

Forests of this species feature the trees packed together densely, with patches of undergrowth between them.