Mahogany

This average-sized shrub grows up to 3 feet (91.4 cm) tall and lives for around 68 years. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of stocky, straight stems covered in smooth, brown-green speckled bark, and the wood inside is mahogany-coloured.

The branches trail down towards the ground with dozens of twigs that and are covered with small bunches of large, perforated, leaves with rounded edges. The leaves themselves are generally light grey, strong and sticky.

In late spring it produces lots of giant, blood red blossoms with stiff, pointed petals. They fall easily and have an overpowering scent that smells like coconut.

In mid-autumn small long, curved fruits ripen. The smooth gold skin is delicate and edible when roasted; it is sweet and salty, and the very soft light brown flesh is sour and oily. The lime seed is very large and sits at the top of the fruit.