Writer's Wednesday XXVIII

Today we look at some of the flora that may be gathered in
Layonara. Layonarans have a wide variety of plants available to them,
and many have discovered uses. Indeed, Aragenites have considerable
records of plants, categorized and defined. Below is a sampling of what
the educated herbalist may find and know in various areas around
Layonara.

Formal Name: Mycrunrakunrak Raicrcrchi

Common Name: Nettle, Stinging Nettle, Creeping Blight

Description: Wide pale green leaves set in patterns of three
on woody stalks covered in sharp barbs. The sap of the plant coats
the barbs and gives a characteristic stinging sensation when contacted to
most races’ skin. The exception seems to be those of orc descent to
which the sap has no effect.

Use(s): Weak distillations of the sap can be used as an
astringent for healing minor wounds. In stronger concentrations the sap can
be combined with other components for potions of both healing and
harming properties, depending on the brewer’s intent.

Range: This plant is common to most low range areas of a
temperate climate. It is not found in highland areas, deserts or bogs.

Formal Name: Wunhuiwchyzihu Poihuhuan

Common Name: Fireflower, Red Hot Mama, Oh my

Description: This innocent looking plant packs quite the
punch. In late summer the 10cm tall full leaves erupt in a riot of
startling red blossoms that over the summer ripen into intensely red
berries. Only the foolish or the desperate would eat them as the heat they
contain would blister the tongue.

Use(s): Mages have taken to using the berries as an
alternative focus in production of fire type spells, while adventurous cooks
grind the berries for some eye watering concoctions.

Range: Primary region of growth is the southern coast of
Alindor, but it can also thrive in areas with a similar climate such as
that of the Rohden Alliance, Southern Dregar and Vanavar.

Formal Name: Stychty Iratymy

Common Name: Frost Flowers, Winterclaws, Prunilla’s
Blessings

Description: These tiny white columns of blooms peep forth
in the early spring just as the winter snows are regressing. Within
a few weeks they have formed silvery berries that have a cold refreshing
taste on the palate. Some refer to them as Prunilla’s Blessings as
they generally are the hallmark of spring and the end of winter.

Use(s): They make an interesting addition to ales and
spirits, but alchemists like to concentrate the effect of the berries to
make compounds to either impart or protect from cold effects.

Range: Anywhere on Layonara where seasonal snows occur. In
warmer locals it may only be found in the foothills of mountain
ranges where glacial snows periodically recede.

Please visit us again next week with a new sampling!

~row, on behalf of the writing team