Violet

This average-sized shrub grows up to 3 feet (91.4 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 103 years old. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has many branched, twisting stems covered in thin, silky, pine-coloured bark, and the wood inside is black.

The branches trail down towards the ground that and are covered with copious amounts of large, circular, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are caramel and lime, delicate and soft.

In late spring it produces a thick sheet of small, violet blossoms with 5 cylindrical shaped petals. They are hardy and have a delicate scent that smells like alcohol.

In midwinter small long, narrow fruits ripen. The fuzzy blue skin is thin and edible when boiled; it is very sour, and the crunchy aquamarine flesh is spicy and powdery. The black seed is large and sits at the top of the fruit.