Copperfruit

This short fruit tree grows up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall and lives for up to 40 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 47 years old. It is very susceptible to disease and insect infestation.

It has a slender, wonky trunk covered in smooth, copper-coloured bark, and inside, the very dense wood is burgundy.

The branches are short, rigid and upright and are covered with thick bunches of huge, needle-like leaves with tattered edges. The leaves themselves are generally copper.

In early spring, it produces many balls of medium-sized, dull yellow blossoms with wide petals with a tube-like floral cup. They are sturdy and have an intensely strong scent that smells like musk.

In early summer it produces , long, tapering fruit. The smooth violet skin is delicate and savoury, and the crunchy silver flesh is salty and powdery. The light grey seeds are tiny and are bunched at the bottom of the fruit.

The roots spread far and go deep underground, and overall the tree is rigid and brittle.

Forests of this species feature trees spaced far apart, with grassy ground between them.