Crimsonvine

This average-sized shrub grows up to 3 feet (91.4 cm) tall and lives for around 18 years. It is somewhat resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has numerous stocky, twisting stems covered in fine, cracked, black bark, and the wood inside is yellow-brown.

The branches are tall, rigid and upright with thousands of twigs that and are covered with thick bunches of tiny, asymmetrical, leaves with jagged edges. The leaves themselves are orange and bold purple, rigid and rough.

In early summer it produces handfuls of small, crimson blossoms with finger-like petals. They detach easily and have a powerful scent that smells like something putrid.

In early autumn small long, tapering fruits ripen. The smooth grey skin is tough and edible when boiled; it is sweet and bitter, and the soft lime flesh is spicy and syrupy. The blood red seeds are small and are bunched at the top of the fruit.