<previous next>

Indigofern

Succulent type: Caudiciform (Stores water in the thickened base of its stem)

This large caudiciform grows up to 92 feet (28.0 meters) tall. The pleated stem is green, and is covered in handfuls of flexible slate spines. The thick, gnarled, red trunk can grow to as much as 92 feet (28.0 meters) in diameter. Its yellow-green branches are short stubs.

The smooth-edged, long, tapering leaves are solid indigo with pale purple patches. They are flimsy, and take some effort to detach.

It is steady-growing, taking 21 months to reach maturity. Once mature, a single flower with petals that are either slate or crimson, with a yellow center grows at the top, reappearing every year. The flower head is an uncoordinated mess of 51 curved petals. It has a mildly strong scent that smells like lavender.

The caudiciform's skin is thick, the light brown flesh is leathery, and the cyan sap is thin and causes vomiting if consumed.

It is suitable for creating tough, hard-wearing textiles
The colour changes depends on whether the soil is acidic or alkaline.