Flower-of-Eyes

"Although Taisa had always seen many flowers-of-eyes during her life, that was the first time she was seeing them in the wild, and they never looked so beautiful. There were so many flowers!
She knew that the fight for the Sky Nest would be a tough one, the toughest of them all; but she also knew that, for her mother, it would be worth it."

Basic Information

Anatomy

The flower-of-eyes is usually between 25 and 36 cm in height. It has 10 petals distributed in two rows: 6 in the upper row and 4, longer ones, in the bottom row. The petals have an oval shape, with a white coloration and a ring-shaped mark in their middle; this combination resembles the figure of an eye, thus giving the flower its name.

Genetics and Reproduction

The flower-of-eyes can live up to an entire year after its blossoming. The reproduction needs water, and for this reason happens mostly during the wet seasons, usually the summer.
However, if a flower-of-eyes is successfully moved to a location with a constant water supply, it may be able to reproduce continuously during its whole life.

Ecology and Habitats

The flower-of-eyes needs a restrict combination of nutrients in soil, latitude and altitude in order to survive and reproduce. Only a few locations in the whole world, such as the Sky Nest, in Engoru Savanna, can provide all these factors at once.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The flower-of-eyes has medicinal uses regarding the Slow Fever. Its petals can be used to make a drink, usually a tea, which is used to treat the disease.
The success of the treatment depends on the amount of tea consumed daily: at lower quantities, it can soften the Slow Fever symptoms, and increasing the daily dose it's possible to control and even cure the ill person. The cure, however, demands a constant use of a great quantity of the flower-of-eyes petals, and, given the flower's rarity, is a very difficult deed.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Found at latitudes between 10 an 12 degrees North in Melung and Talung, and between 10 and 12 degrees South in Melung. Always near a permanent water source and between 700 and 850 meters above the sea level.
The Sky Nest in Melung, at 11 degrees North and between 650 and 800 meters in altitude, is located in the banks of the Green River, and is a suitable place for the flower-of-eyes-living and reproduction.

Lifespan

1 year

Conservation Status

Considering it's distribution in the world, the flower-of-eyes is considered rare. However, in the places where it grows, the flower has a population number high enough to not be considered an endangered species.

Average Height

Between 25 and 36 cm

Average Length

Between 6 and 8 cm (for the upper petals) Between 9 and 11 cm (for the lower petals)