Copperleaf Tree

This huge fruit tree grows up to 46 feet (14.0 meters) tall and lives for up to 30 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 53 years old. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has a thick, slanted trunk covered in paper-thin, knobbly, copper-coloured bark, and inside, the hard wood is gray.

The numerous branches are short, thin and wispy and are covered with small bunches of large, thick leaves with irregular edges. The leaves themselves are found in beige, brown and cream varieties.

In early spring, it produces hundreds of tiny, purple blossoms with many layers of petals. They fall easily and have an overpowering scent that smells like mint.

In mid-summer it produces , oval fruit. The rough dark grey skin is thin and edible when roasted; it is very salty, and the soft magenta flesh is sweet and very dry. The caramel seed is large and sits at the end of the fruit.

The roots form a tightly packed ball, and overall the tree is rigid and brittle.

Forests of this species feature the trees packed together densely, with grassy ground between them.