Coppervine

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 3 feet (91.4 cm) tall and lives for around 30 years. It is very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has several stocky, curved stems covered in paper-thin, ridged, copper-coloured bark, and the wood inside is yellow-brown.

The branches are short stubs that and are covered with large amounts of miniature, needle-like, leaves with irregular edges. The leaves themselves are solid purple or amber, with lime lines, flexible and crispy.

In late spring it produces hundreds of medium-sized, purple blossoms with stiff, pointed petals with a tube-like floral cup. They are very delicate and have a delicate scent that smells like sweat.

In midwinter small oval fruits ripen. The fuzzy yellow skin is tough and savoury, and the slightly crunchy lilac flesh is sweet and very juicy. The lime seed is very large and is in the centre of the fruit.