Purplefruit Tree

This short fruit tree grows up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and lives for up to 40 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 68 years old. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has a flexible, wavy trunk covered in very thick, rough, brown and grey bark, and inside, the flexible wood is pale yellow.

The excessive amount of branches trail down to the ground and are covered with handfuls of miniature, perforated leaves with jagged edges. The leaves themselves are red on the sides and olive at the center.

In early spring, it produces a thick sheet of small, dull green blossoms with cylindrical shaped petals. They are very delicate and have a scent that varies in strength that smells like skunk spray.

In early autumn it produces tiny, perforated fruit. The smooth purple skin is stretchy and edible when roasted; it is sweet, and the slightly crunchy red flesh is salty and sour and powdery. The white seeds are small and are located in the centre of the fruit.

The roots are thick and spread across the surface, as well as underground, and overall the tree is rigid and weak, and breaks apart easily.

Forests of this species feature well-spaced trees, with patches of undergrowth between them.