Bloodfruit Tree

This short fruit tree grows up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall and lives for up to 40 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 83 years old. It is somewhat resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has a stocky, straight trunk covered in delicate, knobbly, black with white speckled bark, and inside, the very light wood is black with white speckles.

The branches trail down across the ground and are covered with small bunches of huge, wispy leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are blood red on the sides and light brown at the center.

In early spring, it produces lots of tiny, olive blossoms with needle-like petals with a tube-like floral cup. They are hardy and have the faintest scent that smells like new books.

In mid-summer it produces , perforated fruit. The waxy white skin is tough and sweet and savoury, and the crunchy blood red flesh is extremely savoury and powdery. The beige seed is tiny and is in the centre of the fruit.

The roots are shallow and widely spread, and overall the tree is sturdy and rigid.

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