Moonshade
The door opened, and a petite Emtian woman of about fifty years or so stood in the doorway. “Emtians? What are you doing here?” Myrsi’s voice echoed in Sina’s mind. Tell her you know me. “Myrsi sent us. Are you Liara?” The healer’s eyes widened and she ushered them inside. Without a word she led Sina to a bed then untied the linen sash and pulled the shirt back. Sina inhaled sharply as Liara removed the bandage they’d made with Arin’s shirt. The healer made a few tsking sounds then went over to the table where various ingredients and tools were scattered. Among them were a bunch of white flowers Sina didn’t recognize. Liara grabbed one and began grinding it into a bowl, mixing in a few other ingredients. She returned to Sina and with her fingers, scooped up the poultice she had just made and spread it over the wound on Sina’s back. The poultice was cool at first, then warm. The pain eased immediately. Liara returned the bowl to the table, then grabbed some fresh linen bandages to cover the injury. Once she was done, she grabbed a stool and sat in front of Sina. “That should not only ease your pain, but jumpstart your healing. You’re very lucky it hadn’t gotten infected yet.” “Thank you, Liara.” Sina nodded towards the table. “What’s that white flower you used? I don’t recognize it.” “Moonshade,” Liara said. Sina walked over to the table and inspected the blossoms. “Isn’t moonshade poisonous?” The healer nodded. “The stem, leaves, and roots are extremely poisonous, yes. But the blossom, if prepared properly, has powerful healing properties. As I’m sure you’ve already noticed.” Sina closed her eyes and flexed her back. Nothing. The pain was gone.
Basic Information
Anatomy
This plant has a green stem with usually two or three leaves, shaped like tear drops. The white blossom at the top looks a lot like the bindweed flower in our world.
Genetics and Reproduction
Just like most flowers, moonshade reproduces through self-pollination. Also, whenever a blossom is harvested, pollen is released and falls to the ground. When the First Moon of Duna (what the Emtians call the larger of the three moons) rises, new sprouts start to grow.
Growth Rate & Stages
The moonshade plant can be found at it's fullest in the light of the First Moon. That's usually the best time to harvest the blossom cause it's bigger and easier to remove from the stems without as much danger.
Ecology and Habitats
The moonshade plant prefers the ground around the mountains or hilly areas, and grow best in moonlight.
Biological Cycle
Moonshade is a very sturdy plant and can survive most climate and seasonal changes, so it can be harvested at any time. But only skilled healers should harvest it as they're the only ones who know how to properly handle it.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The stem, leaves, and roots could be used to make a powerful poison. Not many healers will sell it, though. They prefer to use the blossom to heal people.
Lifespan
Unknown. A harvested plant leaves behind pollen for more to grow, and as long as the moons keep their cycle, the plant will always grow, unless it's destroyed by someone.
Conservation Status
The moonshade plant used to grow at the base of the Kengar Mountains, until a young child wandered into a patch of them one day and died. All of the moonshade plants in Emtia were later burned, leaving them virtually extinct in that land. Now this plant can only be found in Raydon, where skilled healers have learned how to isolate the blossom to create a powerful healing salve.
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