Crimson Vine

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 79 years. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has many knobbly, straight stems covered in rough, dark gray bark, and the wood inside is pale brown-grey.

The branches are short stubs with thousands of twigs that and are covered with thick bunches of huge, wide, leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are gentle purple and crimson, resistant and covered in fine hairs.

In late spring it produces a thick sheet of large, gold blossoms with broad, flat petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They are sturdy and have an intensely strong scent that smells like vanilla.

In late winter long, straight fruits ripen. The smooth white skin is stretchy and inedible, and the slightly crunchy olive flesh is sweet and juicy. The crimson seeds are large and are scattered throughout the fruit.