Rosegrain

Much like everywhere else the residents of Laeriss need sustenance to live. They don't exactly need rosegrain as it provides very little substantial nourishment but it has an exotic floral flavor and is used in all manner of dishes, it is fairly expensive and only eaten on occasion for the poor while the rich of the central continents use rosegrain to flavor everything, it is grown on the more fertile and healthy soils of The Kaelian plains, Derinian woodlands, and sometimes parts of western Rena, it is mostly used in central cuisine but sometimes is mixed into the spices of others.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Rosegrain grows as one tall central stalk with curling vines which protrude out from all along it, each vine is covered in a series of many tiny lavender-like flowers which each contain a small amount of the nourishing grain itself.

Genetics and Reproduction

Rosegrain plants rely on animals to carry the seeds from the flowers and spread their growth. In the winter the flowers with the seeds inside fall of the main rosegrain stalk and shrivel up, becoming light enough for the wind to carry them long distances and spread the seeds.

Growth Rate & Stages

1. Seed stage: The rosegrain starts as just a tiny grey seed with a pinkish hue
2. Sprout stage: The rosegrain starts to grow the main stalk and the seed is enveloped in roots
3. Young stage: The rosegrain starts to grow its first tendrils from the main stalk, a few small flowers start to bud with the most flavorful grain but also the smallest.
4. Adult stage: The rosegrain is fully grown, many flowers with larger grain grow all along the vines, the grain is slightly less flavorful than in the young stage.
5. Elder stage: The rosegrain starts to use more of its energy on making the grain more flavorful, also causing the grain to rot faster, as well as making the grain much smaller so it can be carried by the wind easier. In its last winter the rosegrain sheds all of its flower buds as they shrivel up and are carried by the winds to somewhere they can hopefully grow.

Ecology and Habitats

They live in fertile and soft soil, rosegrain also require lots of water filled with healthy nutrients to grow.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Rosegrain requires a regular supply of nutrients and lots of water. It thrives in temperate climates but is very susceptible to cold. It is high maintenance, needing lots of fertilization and a perfect temperature to thrive.

Biological Cycle

Rosegrain is strongly affected by the passage of the seasons, withering in winter and growing healthy in the summer.

Additional Information

Domestication

As with most other domesticated crops rosegrain has changed to produce much more rosegrain, its life-span has gotten even shorter than before as to put more energy into making the grain flavorful though. The stalks have grown in height since before rosegrain's domestication as well.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Rosegrain is most commonly used in flavoring food, making tea, or making perfume. Usually commoners will only have rosegrain occasionally in their alcohol but the higher classes use it as a spice for many foods and to make tea, some of the wealthy upper class people will use it as perfume, to clean fabric and give it a pleasing scent, or to make a room smell nice.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Rosegrain mostly grow in the central areas of Laeriss as those areas usually have the most temperate environment. It is most commonly found on The Kaelian plains but sometimes is grown in the less forested areas of Dirn and the western Alchemic Grasslands of Rena.

Scientific Name

Rosalia barelia

Origin/Ancestry

Rosegrain is central laeran in its origin, originating from the Derinian woodlands.

Lifespan

The average life span of a rosegrain plant is about one year as they usually start growing in the cold seasons, then die when the next cold season comes.

Conservation Status

The species is preserved well for the sake of taking care of the rosegrain exporting industry. Farmers work hard to make sure their crops of rosegrain do not die, sometimes in Kaelia they use hot rocks to keep the rosegrain from dying in the Kaelian winters. Richer farmers will use enchanted items heated with magic to keep their rosegrain alive.

Average Height

An adult rosegrain plant will usually be between 1m-1.5m tall. Though they can get shorter in their elder phase and are still rapidly growing in the young and sprout phases.

Average Weight

1.5lbs