Bluestem Tree

This small fruit tree grows up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall and lives for up to 10 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 25 years old. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has a thick, wonky trunk covered in waxy, brown and grey bark, and inside, the very dense wood is burgundy-brown.

The numerous branches are tall, rigid and upright and are covered with copious amounts of small, needle-like leaves with toothed edges. The leaves themselves are solid muted red with gold edges.

In early spring, it produces large amounts of small, olive blossoms with 5 triangular shaped petals. They fall easily and have a fairly strong scent that smells like burning wood.

In early autumn it produces small, fan-like fruit. The hairy purple skin is delicate and inedible, and the soft sky blue flesh is spicy and sticky. The hazel seeds are large and are scattered throughout 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 well-spaced trees, with the space between filled with undergrowth.