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Purpleleaf

Shrub type: Deciduous (Sheds its leaves in winter)

This big shrub grows up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall and lives for around 98 years. It is somewhat resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of wide, straight stems covered in thin, rough, brown and grey bark, and the wood inside is white with black speckles.

The branches are short and slender with dozens of twigs that and are covered with thick bunches of large, very thin, leaves with ripped edges. The leaves themselves are found in dark brown and purple varieties, soft and flexible and covered in fine hairs.

In late summer it produces large amounts of medium-sized, red blossoms with spear shaped petals. They are sturdy and have a weak scent that smells like onion.

In mid-autumn tiny finger-like fruits ripen. The hairy white skin is stretchy and edible when roasted; it is sweet and salty, and the slightly crunchy intense yellow flesh is sweet and very dry. The subtle green seeds are tiny and are dotted around on the skin of the fruit.

It is suitable for creating strong, durable textiles
It can survive a long time without water.
It out-competes most other plants for nutrients and light.