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Copperfruit Tree

Fruit Tree type: Deciduous (Stores water in its leaves)

This small fruit tree grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and lives for up to 25 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 49 years old. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has a long and flexible, straight trunk covered in thin, silky, brown and grey bark, and inside, the flexible wood is black with white speckles.

The small handful of branches are short and slender and are covered with thick bunches of miniature, stiff, pointed leaves with tattered edges. The leaves themselves are indigo at the bottom and orange with pink patches at the top.

In early spring, it produces copious amounts of giant, copper blossoms with stiff, pointed petals. They are sturdy and have a delicate scent that smells like alcohol.

In late summer it produces , oblong fruit. The crispy green skin is stretchy and edible when cooked; it is bitter and salty, and the slightly crunchy crimson flesh is slightly bitter and dry. The grey seed is tiny and is in the centre of the fruit.

The roots are fine and grow in a large web, and overall the tree is rigid and brittle.

Forests of this species feature trees spaced far apart, with grassy ground between them.

It has impressive regenerative properties.
It is frequently struck by lightning.
A particular bird species likes to nest in it.
It comes in 39 varieties.