Indigo

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 2 feet (61.0 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 147 years old. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has several slender, slanted stems covered in waxy, light gray bark, and the wood inside is yellow.

The branches are short and slender that and are covered with handfuls of small, stiff, pointed, leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are yellow and indigo, frail and waxy.

In mid-spring it produces lots of small, cream blossoms with broad, flat petals with a tube-like floral cup. They are very delicate and have a weak scent that smells like sweat.

In early autumn small pleated fruits ripen. The crispy indigo skin is peel-able and inedible, and the slightly crunchy green flesh is salty and powdery. The brown seed is very large and is in the centre of the fruit.