Copperleaf

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall and lives for around 73 years. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has dozens of very thick, straight stems covered in fine, cracked, copper-coloured bark, and the wood inside is pale yellow.

The branches are very short, thin and wispy that and are covered with large amounts of huge, fan-like, leaves with ripped edges. The leaves themselves are a shade of orange that gradient shifts to bright purple at the top, flimsy and covered in fine hairs.

In late spring it produces large amounts of giant, gold blossoms with pleated petals with a tube-like floral cup. They are sturdy and have a faint scent that smells like pine needles.

In midwinter needle-like fruits ripen. The smooth silver skin is thin and edible when roasted; it is bland, and the very soft violet flesh is salty and dry. The green seeds are large and are scattered throughout the fruit.