Shelu Flower (Shi(t)-loo)

Properties

Geology & Geography

This shrub is only found in Kirian and even there, only in the western half of the country. No one knows why this is the case. When attempts were made to plant it elsewhere the plant becomes flimsy and only produces a weak, muddy, green-ish color.

History & Usage

Discovery

This plant has been around since before the Zai rule. It has been a symbol of wealth for centuries due to it's rarity. Used as decoration, the flower was considered the most romantic flower that someone could be gifted.
Some time in the early 1000's it was discovered that this plant could be used for blue dye. This created a new business for Kirians, but the warlord at that time was a tyrant who took most of the profits.  This is when the 'Blue Wars' as they were called, broke out. This was organized and lead by the Zai family, who had a strong gene of producing blue eyed offspring. This connection to blue and the frustration of not being able to do business led the peasantry to fight with them to dismantle the old regime and establish the Zai family as the ruling family.
After this the market was once more open to profit from the flower and the dye that it produces. Because of this more experiments were done and they discovered that the leaves of the plant made a brighter blue than the flowers. In the attempt to produce more it was found out that the shrub could not be planted elsewhere, so the North-West was dedicated to planting massive fields along with one spot right outside the borders of the capitol city, Teriflor.

Everyday use

Shelu is used to create dye. The amount of leaves used dictates how strong of a color is created. This dye can be used for a variety of things. The best result is with textile, but it can also be used as water paint and any other type of liquid color wash. So far there has been no successful attempt at turning it into powder or thickening the consistency while keeping the color that is so desired.
In Textile: The strongest color is most often used by the Zai Family. They can afford to wear the most amount of fully pigmented, blue materials which are already quite expensive in their own right. This is seen as correct, because of their connection to the color.
But they are by no means the only ones who can wear the fully pigmented textiles. The Noble families use this in their fashionable outfits on a regular basis. It's a status symbol to be able to have the most fully pigmented fabrics at any event. The quality of the textiles might differ and a smaller budget will mean less blue, but they will have at least one blue outfit in their wardrobe. Different shades of blue is allowed, but the cheapest levels of pigment is distasteful and out of the question. The nobility wear more blue than the Zai family usually.
The peasantry also wear blue, but in lesser amounts and of varying quality. Merchants usually have the highest quality in this class and among everyone else it's a toss up.
One thing must be clear: Blue is a common color for Kirians. It is used in daily wear and even underwear. The price goes up with not only the color quality and intensity, but also the material being dyed. Blue smoke silk for instance, is far more expensive than blue cotton.
Water Paint: It is often used in paintings. Most often on paper. It's difficult to use certain types of scrolls or banners. It needs to seep into the material for a good result and the material needs to be white otherwise the color won't come through.
As decoration it is normal to find at least one 'Blue painting' in every house. Houses tend to come with a standard version, but people will usually buy one from their favorite painter to replace it with.

Distribution

Law & Regulation

The distribution is exclusive to a very few noble families. These families pay to receive Shelu leaves every harvest and they process the dye. They then distribute this dye to those who purchase it from them. These are usually merchants who will use it to dye with or bottle it for painting etc. This means that the process is protected by those families who make profit from it. It also means that the amount of people with access is limited and known. If anything happens these are the people who will be held responsible.

Type

Organic

Odor

A faintly clean, floral smell that intensifies when dried

Taste

Not edible

Color

Massive green leaves with flowers that are red in the middle and white at the tips.