Mahogany Needlebloom

This large shrub grows up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 169 years old. It is somewhat resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of knobbly, angular stems covered in delicate, waxy, mahogany-coloured bark, and the wood inside is black.

The branches are very long, thin and wispy with dozens of twigs that and are covered with thick bunches of huge, needle-like, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are generally violet, durable and smooth.

In late spring it produces a thick sheet of small, bronze blossoms with teardrop-shaped shaped petals. They detach easily and have the faintest scent that smells like vanilla.

In late autumn small wide fruits ripen. The clammy blood red skin is stretchy and spicy and savoury, and the soft bronze flesh is sweet and spicy and syrupy. The faded yellow seed is large and sits at the end of the fruit.