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Burgundy Willow

Shrub type: Deciduous (Stores water in the thickened base of its stem)

This modest-sized shrub grows up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall and lives for around 37 years. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of flexible, straight stems covered in very thick, waxy, burgundy bark, and the wood inside is silver.

The branches are short and slender with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with thick bunches of miniature, circular, leaves with toothed edges. The leaves themselves are vibrant purple and magenta, resistant and waxy.

In mid-spring it produces a handful of large, dark brown blossoms with fan-like petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They detach easily and have a weak scent that smells like ashes.

In midwinter finger-like fruits ripen. The fuzzy blood red skin is thin and savoury, and the crunchy orange flesh is sour and very dry. The light grey seeds are small and are located in the centre of the fruit.

It absorbs an exceptionally large amount of water each day.
It is suitable for creating tough, hard-wearing textiles