Copper

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 99 years. It is very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has several branched, straight stems covered in rough, burgundy bark, and the wood inside is pale brown.

The branches are short and thin with thousands of twigs that and are covered with very large amounts of miniature, sickle shaped, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are either bright blue, or bronze with silver edges, flimsy and smooth.

In early spring it produces several tiny, copper blossoms with many layers of petals. They detach easily and have a powerful scent that smells like new books.

In early winter small oval fruits ripen. The fuzzy hazel skin is thick and edible when boiled; it is sour, and the very soft bronze flesh is sweet and sour and syrupy. The bold red seed is small and is in the centre of the fruit.