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Copperfern

Shrub type: Deciduous (Stores water in the thickened base of its stem)

This huge shrub grows up to 11 feet (3.4 meters) tall and lives for around 19 years. It is very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has several thick, angular stems covered in cracked, copper-coloured bark, and the wood inside is burgundy-brown.

The branches are long and thick with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with very large amounts of tiny, pleated, leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are blue at the bottom and white with black splotches at the top, hardy and crispy.

In late spring it produces hundreds of medium-sized, cream blossoms with finger-like petals with a tube-like floral cup. They are hardy and have a soft scent that smells like vomit.

In late winter large broad, flat fruits ripen. The waxy blue skin is delicate and sweet and salty, and the slightly crunchy green flesh is sour and juicy. The slate seeds are small and are scattered throughout the fruit.

It is suitable for creating strong, durable textiles
A particular bird species likes to nest in it.
It can absorb up to 16 times its own weight in water.