Crimson Willow

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 146 years old. It is somewhat resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of long and flexible, crooked stems covered in paper-thin, cracked, dark brown bark, and the wood inside is white with black speckles.

The branches are very long and slender with dozens of twigs that and are covered with very large amounts of small, circular, leaves with irregular edges. The leaves themselves are found in bronze and ashy orange varieties, robust and covered in fine hairs.

In late summer it produces clusters of small, crimson blossoms with shield-shaped petals with a tube-like floral cup. They detach easily and have a soft scent that smells like pine needles.

In midwinter small triangular fruits ripen. The waxy cyan skin is thin and edible when cooked; it is spicy and savoury, and the crunchy brilliant blue flesh is slightly sweet and syrupy. The blood red seeds are large and are scattered throughout the fruit.