Black Ridge Shrub

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 2 feet (61.0 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 104 years old. It is very susceptible to disease and insect infestation.

It has dozens of very thick, straight stems covered in hard, ridged, black bark, and the wood inside is black with white speckles.

The branches are very short and thin that and are covered with sparse amounts of small, needle-like, leaves with irregular edges. The leaves themselves are dark grey on the sides and copper at the center, flimsy and fuzzy.

In early summer it produces thousands of medium-sized, white blossoms with pleated petals. They fall easily and have a weak scent that smells like mango.

In late autumn oval fruits ripen. The soft light green skin is delicate and sour, and the crunchy dark grey flesh is salty and very dry. The yellow seed is tiny and is in the centre of the fruit.