Indigo

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 2 feet (61.0 cm) tall and lives for around 33 years. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has many sturdy, curved stems covered in waxy, brown-green bark, and the wood inside is pale brown-grey.

The branches are tall, rigid and upright with dozens of twigs that and are covered with sparse amounts of miniature, flame-shaped, leaves with rounded edges. The leaves themselves are grey at the bottom and light grey with purple dots at the top, rigid and leathery.

In early summer it produces a handful of large, indigo blossoms with 3 heart-shaped shaped petals. They are hardy and have a weak scent that smells like faeces.

In early winter small stiff, pointed fruits ripen. The hairy gold skin is peel-able and sweet and spicy, and the soft olive flesh is savoury and syrupy. The pale red seeds are large and are scattered throughout the fruit.