The Strusian Heart

"There are many flowers we hold dear on our homeworld, but the Strusian Heart is particularly special to us. It is the embodiment of what we desire as a people, spreading beauty wherever we go."

— Ambassador Kanoa

The Strusian Heart is a prominent flower on the Simmeri homeplanet of Strus IV, and is tied closely to their culture and beliefs. In their society it represents beauty, peace, love, and protection. It can be seen in the majority of their architecture, usually as a form of decoration around their windows and doorways. Its most abundant usage, however, is when two Simmeri declare love for each other. During this act they each trade a Strusian Heart, generally one they personally grew, and then consume the stem. The head of each of their flowers is then ground into a powder used in their bonding ceremony.

Basic Information

Anatomy

This flower has a particularly hardy stem that twists in a corkscrew-like fashion with a green coloration. At the top of the stem is the head of the flower which has four long, spindly petals with a thin translucent membrane stretched between each of them. The petals bend down towards the ground slightly when the flower is in full bloom, creating an almost umbrella like look to the plant. The head of the flower is of a light bluish coloration similar to aquamarine in hue.

Ecology and Habitats

The Strusian Heart is most commonly found in temperate to tropical environments, with it commonly growing near other larger plants, such as trees and bushes. When near these other plants it has a beneficial relationship to them, boosting their own ability to grow and letting off an odor that is repugnant to most breeds of insect. Larger animals that are not repulsed by the odor of the flower will instead find the plant toxic to their consumption. Due to this, plants that have Strusian Hearts around them are less likely to be eaten by herbivores.