Clinging Goldfruit Tree

This short fruit tree grows up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall and lives for up to 40 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 85 years old. It is very susceptible to disease and insect infestation.

It has a flexible, crooked trunk covered in waxy, white with black speckled bark, and inside, the flexible wood is yellow-brown.

The numerous branches are very long and thick and are covered with large amounts of miniature, broad, flat leaves with ripped edges. The leaves themselves are gray with white tips.

In early spring, it produces a thick sheet of small, gold blossoms with long, narrow petals with a tube-like floral cup. They fall easily and have a soft scent that smells like coconut.

In late summer it produces very large, broad, flat fruit. The leathery red skin is stretchy and inedible, and the soft dark grey flesh is sweet and very dry. The light grey seed is small and sits at the top of the fruit.

The roots are shallow and grow straight down, and overall the tree is sturdy and difficult to uproot.

Forests of this species feature well-spaced trees, with patches of undergrowth between them.