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Silverbell

Shrub type: Deciduous (Stores water in its leaves)

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 21 years. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has several flexible, twisting stems covered in smooth, mahogany-coloured bark, and the wood inside is black.

The branches trail down across the ground with dozens of twigs that and are covered with thick bunches of tiny, very thin, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are either vibrant orange or silver, with lime streaks, rigid and crispy.

In late summer it produces a thick sheet of large, pink blossoms with broad, flat petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They detach easily and have an intensely strong scent that smells like vanilla.

In early winter small oval fruits ripen. The smooth lilac skin is thin and edible when roasted; it is salty, and the very soft red flesh is slightly bitter and very juicy. The orange seed is tiny and sits at the top of the fruit.

It grows well in the sun and full shade.
Several parts of the moss have medicinal properties.
It is suitable for use as a construction material