Copperbell

This large shrub grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and lives for around 82 years. It is very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has numerous branched, slanted stems covered in smooth, copper-coloured bark, and the wood inside is dark brown.

The branches trail down across the ground with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with small amounts of small, spear shaped, leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are generally copper, sturdy and clammy.

In late spring it produces copious amounts of small, azure blossoms with long, tapering petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They fall easily and have a scent whose strength depends on external factors, such as soil quality and rain frequency that smells like onion.

In late winter large long, curved fruits ripen. The crispy aquamarine skin is delicate and bitter and salty, and the soft azure flesh is sweet and very dry. The deep green seed is very large and is in the centre of the fruit.