Silverbell

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 44 years. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of thick, curved stems covered in thick, smooth, silver and white bark, and the wood inside is burgundy-brown.

The branches are very long and thin with dozens of twigs that and are covered with copious amounts of tiny, sickle shaped, leaves with jagged edges. The leaves themselves are cream with black tips, strong and rough.

In mid-summer it produces several medium-sized, bronze blossoms with needle-like petals. They are sturdy and have a delicate scent that smells like ashes.

In early winter tiny oblong fruits ripen. The soft red skin is thick and spicy and sour, and the very soft purple flesh is salty and dry. The black seeds are small and are bunched at the bottom of the fruit.