Copperbrush

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 146 years old. It is very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has several thick, crooked stems covered in hard, wrinkled, brown and grey bark, and the wood inside is burgundy.

The branches are long, thin and wispy with dozens of twigs that and are covered with copious amounts of small, spear shaped, leaves with rounded edges. The leaves themselves are copper on the edges and hazel at the center, tough and covered in fine hairs.

In mid-spring it produces many medium-sized, pink blossoms with oblong shaped petals. They are hardy and have a powerful scent that smells like new books.

In early autumn finger-like fruits ripen. The waxy caramel skin is stretchy and edible when boiled; it is bitter and savoury, and the very soft lime flesh is sweet and juicy. The caramel seed is small and sits at the top of the fruit.