Aridleaf Bush

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 12 years. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has many narrow, crooked stems covered in fine, ridged, dark green bark, and the wood inside is white with black speckles.

The branches are very short and thin with thousands of twigs that and are covered with thick bunches of small, triangular, leaves with toothed edges. The leaves themselves are aquamarine and cream, sturdy and fuzzy.

In late summer it produces many clusters of large, yellow blossoms with broad, flat petals. They are hardy and have an intensely strong scent that smells like meat.

In early winter small oblong fruits ripen. The rough faded blue skin is thick and inedible, and the slightly crunchy washed-out red flesh is sweet and very dry. The blood red seeds are large and are scattered throughout the fruit.