Magenta

This massive shrub grows up to 10 feet (3.0 meters) tall and lives for around 20 years. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has many knobbly, twisting stems covered in thick, ridged, dark brown bark, and the wood inside is mahogany-coloured.

The branches are very long and thin with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with small bunches of tiny, slender, pointed, leaves with wavy edges. The leaves themselves are magenta at the bottom and turquoise with indigo splotches at the top, flexible and smooth.

In late spring it produces many balls of tiny, caramel blossoms with umbrella-shaped petals. They are sturdy and have a mildly strong scent that smells like warm cookies.

In late autumn very large stiff, pointed fruits ripen. The smooth grey skin is thick and sweet, and the crunchy slate flesh is spicy and syrupy. The green seed is very large and is in the centre of the fruit.