Lightning Plant
The lightning plant (zea omaxea in dwarfish) is a perennial bulb having the unique property of being capable of storing magic and magic patterns within its bulb, bulbils, and flowers.
Most who use the lightning plant use it simply as a magical storage battery or as a functional spell casting device, with the effect triggering during the process of chewing and swallowing while eating,
The dwarfs apparently use the lightning plant in their process of weapon smithing Fonujajo and other weapons. But the dwarfs jealously protect all magic and procedures relating to it, so non-local information can be lost. It is theorized that spells that are meant to be fused into a weapon or other item is infused into the bulb. Objects made of fire steel are thrust into the bulb, quenching the fire steel. The quenching process transfers the magical energy patterns from the zea omaxea, destroying the bulb in the process.
Basic Information
Anatomy
- A dull red colored bulb up to two feet in diameter.
- Thin, hairlike roots up to 20 feet into the ground.
- One to seven light green to white stems up to five feet long and between one half and two inches in diameter.
- Three to five narrow, long green leaves on each the stem.
- Each stem grows up to six bulbils along the upper one third of the length. The bulbils appear as almost cancerous growths along the stems.
- The bulbils separate from the stems, remaining attached via thin tendrils
- The buibils later turn into large (up to 8 inch diameter) spherical flowers. The flowers are a deep purple and look much like wild garlic.
Growth Rate & Stages
When planted, the bulb immediate starts sending out root hairs. These grow to their full length within 20 days of the bulb being planted, regardless of other conditions.
During the first spring/rainy season, the stems grow from the bulb.
The stems grow to full length within the span of five days. Once grown, three to five narrow, long green leaves unfurl from the stem.
During the second spring/rainy season, up to six bulbils develop on each step. The bulbils develop in the span of two days.
During the third spring/rainy season, the bulbils separate from the stems, remaining attached via thin tendrils. Within a day, the large spherical flowers emerge from the bubils. Flowers remain for up to 10 days, during which time the tendrils wither. The flowers drop off the tendrils at different times, floating away on any available breeze. Within two days of the flowers dropping, the stem and leaves wither.
The stem then sprouts during the next spring/rainy season.
Ecology and Habitats
There are two strains. One lives in temperate climates, thriving especially in the valley of Viž Nuzo, where it is cultivated by the dwarfs. The second lives in tropical regions. It is cultivated by the elfs.
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