Copperleaf

This average-sized leaf succulent grows up to 28 feet (8.5 meters) tall. The perforated stem is burgundy, and is covered in copious amounts of rigid orange spines. The smooth-edged, wide leaves are solid copper or dull purple, with violet edges. Very large amounts of them grow from the base in alternating layers of 3, then 6, then 9, and so on. The leaves are flimsy, but do not detach easily.

It is slow growing, taking 22 years to reach maturity. Once mature, and only under the right conditions, a handful of flowers, with solid washed-out green petals decorated with hazel lines and a light brown central disk, grow at the top, reappearing after 7 years, but only when the conditions are right again. The flower head is shaped like a sphere made up of many widely spaced, narrow petals. It has an overpowering scent that smells like honeysuckle.

The leaf succulent's skin is very thick, the white flesh is slimy, and the amber sap is thin.