Copperbark

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 60 years. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has numerous branched, slanted stems covered in thick, waxy, copper-coloured bark, and the wood inside is pine-coloured.

The branches are very short, thin and wispy with dozens of twigs that and are covered with small bunches of giant, broad, flat, leaves with irregular edges. The leaves themselves are lime green with florescent purple tips, flimsy and smooth.

In early spring it produces several medium-sized, black blossoms with pleated petals. They are very delicate and have a weak scent that smells like a man.

In early winter cuboid fruits ripen. The clammy green skin is tough and inedible, and the slightly crunchy amber flesh is sweet and powdery. The vivid yellow seeds are tiny and are scattered throughout the fruit.