Bronzeberry

This average-sized fruit tree grows up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) tall and lives for up to 30 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 51 years old. It is not very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has a knobbly, straight trunk covered in fine, ridged, brown-green bark, and inside, the very dense wood is pale brown-grey.

The thin clumps of branches trail down to the ground and are covered with large amounts of miniature, long, narrow leaves with wavy edges. The leaves themselves are slate at the bottom and green with bronze zig-zags at the top.

In early spring, it produces copious amounts of giant, bronze blossoms with sickle shaped petals. They are very delicate and have a delicate scent that smells like garlic.

In mid-summer it produces tiny, long, curved fruit. The fuzzy silver skin is stretchy and edible when cooked; it is bitter and salty, and the soft purple flesh is spicy and salty and dry. The brown seed is large and sits at the top of the fruit.

The roots are fine and grow in a large web, and overall the tree is rigid and brittle.

Forests of this species feature well-spaced trees, with the space between them filled with thick undergrowth.