Caramelfern

This enormous shrub grows up to 14 feet (4.3 meters) tall and lives for around 39 years. It is very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has many very thick, straight stems covered in thin, knobbly, light brown bark, and the wood inside is light brown.

The branches are long and slender with thousands of twigs that and are covered with small amounts of miniature, pleated, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are found in light grey and caramel varieties, sturdy and smooth.

In mid-spring it produces bunches of tiny, dark brown blossoms with oblong shaped petals. They fall easily and have a delicate scent that smells like leather.

In late winter small long, straight fruits ripen. The smooth lilac skin is delicate and inedible, and the crunchy yellow flesh is salty and oily. The green seeds are small and are located in the centre of the fruit.