Bloodfruit Tree

This short fruit tree grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and lives for up to 10 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 32 years old. It is not very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has a branched, straight trunk covered in thin, knobbly, brown-green bark, and inside, the flexible wood is dark brown.

The thin clumps of branches are very long and thin and are covered with large amounts of small, asymmetrical leaves with toothed edges. The leaves themselves are found in blood red, bronze and muted red varieties.

In early spring, it produces lots of giant, light brown blossoms with 2 oblong shaped petals. They fall easily and have a faint scent that smells like petrol.

In early summer it produces tiny, oval fruit. The soft blue skin is delicate and edible when cooked; it is sweet, and the crunchy sky blue flesh is sour and juicy. The caramel seeds are tiny and are located in the centre of the fruit.

The roots form a tightly packed ball, and overall the tree is rigid and brittle.

Forests of this species feature the trees packed together densely, with the space between them filled with thick undergrowth.