Copperfruit

This small fruit tree grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and lives for up to 25 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 46 years old. It is very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has a sturdy, straight trunk covered in fine, wrinkled, copper-coloured bark, and inside, the soft wood is white.

The branches are tall, rigid and upright and are covered with large amounts of huge, sickle shaped leaves with irregular edges. The leaves themselves are found in blood red and gold varieties.

In early spring, it produces balls of tiny, cream blossoms with perforated petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They are sturdy and have a weak scent that smells like glue.

In late summer it produces small, pleated fruit. The crispy bronze skin is tough and spicy and sour, and the very soft blue flesh is slightly bitter and sticky. The hazel seeds are small and are bunched at the bottom of the fruit.

The roots are fine and grow in a large web, and overall the tree is rigid and weak, and breaks apart easily.

Forests of this species feature the trees packed together, with the space between them filled with thick undergrowth.