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Silverbell

Shrub type: Deciduous (Stores water in its leaves)

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for decades, with the oldest known specimen being around 149 years old. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has many branched, crooked stems covered in very thick, wrinkled, brown bark, and the wood inside is silver.

The branches are long, thin and wispy with thousands of twigs that and are covered with small amounts of huge, finger-like, leaves with serrated edges. The leaves themselves are solid silver with purple lines, resilient and covered in fine hairs.

In early spring it produces copious amounts of giant, amber blossoms with sickle shaped petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They are very delicate and have a strong scent that smells like chocolate.

In late autumn long, curved fruits ripen. The rough intense red skin is peel-able and edible when boiled; it is overwhelmingly sour, and the slightly crunchy lime flesh is salty and sour and very juicy. The slate seed is large and is in the centre of the fruit.

It blooms only at night.
It is suitable for creating tough, hard-wearing textiles
It can grow in even the most barren lands.