Athrip (ath-reep)
Basic Information
Anatomy
This climbing plant has moderate-sized fan-like leaves. The leaves are blue-green in colour. Specimens can grow to be as high as 5 feet tall, though they're more commonly half that size. The flowers are dark red with five petals. The petals are spread out rather than close together. The center of the flower is white with a yellow cluster at the center containing the seeds.
Biological Traits
Athrip are perennial plants. They sprout with the warm spring weather and die when the winter arrives. Seeds of this plant can survive in a dormant state through the winter as long as it doesn't get too cold.
Genetics and Reproduction
It reproduces via the flowers. The yellow cluster at its center are its seeds. They detach once the flower is mature and are distributed to the surrounding area with the wind.
Ecology and Habitats
Dietary Needs and Habits
Plenty of sunlight is required for growth. It doesn't need much in the way of water, drawing what moisture it needs from the ground.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The leaves have a bitter taste and shouldn't be consumed by ferali. It's flowers, however, are viewed as a kind of cure-all. They've been used to treat everything from headaches to insomnia. It's most common use is to aid in relaxation.
A poultice made from the leaves has proven to reduce swelling. Lotions made from the flowers is effective in treating skin conditions, such as the lesions left over from a bout of Jungle Ague.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
They are most commonly found around the Troatr Coast, Laewas, and Wallowdale.
Without knowing more about your world, I may have missed some of the deeper potential of this plant, but it sounds like it is very useful, for sure!