Blueberry Ash

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 28 years. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has numerous flexible, straight stems covered in paper-thin, wrinkled, dark brown bark, and the wood inside is pale brown.

The branches are very long and thin with dozens of twigs that and are covered with small amounts of small, wide, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are found in blue, cream and pale green varieties, sturdy and clammy.

In late summer it produces thousands of small, beige blossoms with 4 teardrop-shaped shaped petals. They are sturdy and have a scent whose strength depends on external factors, such as soil quality and rain frequency that smells like ashes.

In early winter small asymmetrical fruits ripen. The crispy crimson skin is stretchy and edible when cooked; it is salty, and the crunchy orange flesh is savoury and powdery. The hazel seed is small and sits at the end of the fruit.