<previous next>

Coppervine

Shrub type: Deciduous (Grows upwards by winding itself around other objects and plants.)

This huge shrub grows up to 12 feet (3.7 meters) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 141 years old. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of branched, wavy stems covered in ridged, light brown bark, and the wood inside is yellow-brown.

The branches trail down across the ground that and are covered with large amounts of small, needle-like, leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are found in yellow and copper varieties, sturdy and covered in fine hairs.

In late summer it produces hundreds of small, blood red blossoms with needle-like petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They detach easily and have an intense scent that smells like bleach.

In midwinter long, curved fruits ripen. The leathery bronze skin is stretchy and edible when boiled; it is sour, and the soft magenta flesh is savoury and dry. The orange seeds are small and are located in the centre of the fruit.

It is suitable for making strong rope
It can survive a very long time without water.
It makes a distinctive sound when the wind blows through it.