Sherbetbush

Sherbetbush is a small to medium-sized shrub found as a planting in many towns and cities of the Sirdabi Caliphate. It is distinctive for its dense vivid green foliage, spicy smell, and capacity to be trimmed into neat wall-like hedges. Its origins are uncertain, as it is not found growing naturally anywhere within this region.

Appearance

Sherbetbush can grow up to about six feet in height and features very dense foliage of tightly woven branches and multitudinous oval leaves. These leaves are quite small, no more than 3/4 of an inch long, and when mature have a thick leathery texture. They are also evergreen, remaining on the plant through most months of the year and only dropping in large quantities for a brief period in the summer. Even during this time the shrub is never completely bare, but does take on a softer look as tender new leaves replace the old ones. Besides their evergreen nature, the leaves are also notable for their fragrance -- a nose-tickling spicy-sour scent that puts many people in mind of lime sherbet.

Uses

Sherbetbush is widely used as both a decorative and functional planting, as it makes an excellent natural wall, fencerow, and windbreak. In towns it is often planted along the perimeters of streets and gardens, while in the countryside it can be found around farmers' fields shielding crops from the wind. Its dense growth habit allows it to be trimmed into a variety of shapes, from a utilitarian but attractive boxy wall, to fanciful forms resembling animals or abstract shapes.

The fresh young leaves of the bush are sometimes used as a garnish on salads or in tabbouleh, or even sprinkled over a dish of the sherbet its fragrance is reminiscent of. They have a pleasantly sweet-and-spicy taste, with a mild bite a little like pepper, and are popular during the brief season during which they are edible. Livestock, on the other hand, do not seem to care for the taste at all and will avoid browsing on the bush, which only adds to its utility as a fence in rural areas.