Filth Flower

Filth flower is a small, white-petaled flower. It is typically found in forests, swamps, sewers, and any other place that is warm, dark, and humid. It consumes the corpses of plants and animals for its nutrients which produces its infamous stench. Some say that it smells like death itself. Others claim that is smells like shit mixed with fish. I, however, believe that is smells more like a maple tree that has been burned by a red dragon. In my research, I have only found it to be useful in the making of poisons and "anti-perfume." Despite its smell, it is a beautiful plant and I recommend it to any gardener that can handle the stench.

-Bo Bumnag, The Gardener's Handbook

Basic Information

Anatomy

Filth flowers are small flowering plants with a single stem topped by four white petals. The roots of filth flowers have small vacuoles near the stem of the plant that store additional nutrients.

Genetics and Reproduction

Filth flowers reproduce sexually near the end of their life. When the flower dies, it will drop any fertilized seeds around where it used to sit.

Growth Rate & Stages

It takes about 1-2 weeks for a seed to sprout and then another 5-7 weeks for the sprout to grow into a full stem. A new filth flower will typically begin flowering 2 months after being planted. With ideal conditions, a filth flower can live for up to 3 years.

Ecology and Habitats

Filth flowers prefer warm, humid environments with very little exposure to light. Although they don't like light, filth flowers do need at least 1 hour of direct exposure to light each day. Filth flowers also tend to grow better in areas with dead plants and animals, which makes them common occurrences in areas with an abundance of fungi.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Filth flowers require more nutrients than many other plants, often requiring a corpse at least the size of a house cat to live for a full 3 years.

Biological Cycle

After it first blooms, a filth flower will typically lose its four petals at the beginning of each winter and will bud and bloom again around the end of spring. When it is nearing its death, a filth flower will shed its petals before it's stem curls towards the nearest dead plant or animal. When it finally dies, any fertilized seeds it was carrying will fall towards whatever it was curled towards.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Filth flowers have two major uses. The first is as an ingredient in a fairly common poison known as Stench of Death. The other use is as a major ingredient in the only known cure for the Rat Plague.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Filth flowers are found mostly in warm, dark swamps and sewers, but they can also be found in particularly humid forests.

Scientific Name

Houstonia Maculosus

Lifespan

2-3 years

Average Height

10-15 cm

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Filth flowers have four white petals that are each speckled with grey and brown spots. The stems of filth flowers are discolored shades of green.