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Twining Mahogany Fern

Shrub type: Deciduous (Grows upwards by winding itself around other objects and plants.)

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 76 years. It is very susceptible to disease and insect infestation.

It has numerous knobbly, straight stems covered in thick, wrinkled, burgundy and brown bark, and the wood inside is mahogany-coloured.

The branches are very short, thin and wispy with thousands of twigs that and are covered with large amounts of miniature, very thick, leaves with irregular edges. The leaves themselves are emerald with cream tips, delicate and smooth.

It produces many bunches of large, cream flowers with asymmetrical petals. They detach easily and have a strong scent that smells like coffee. In late winter it forms medium-sizedcream aril (seeds with fleshy covers).

It is almost impossible to grow from cuttings.
It is suitable for creating fine, soft textiles
It is said to be able to live for hundreds of years.