Scorchfruit

Scorchfruit is a plant know to grow only in extremely hot climates, mostly in Dreagor and some parts of Okana. It is a popular food source in Dreagor, and part of some of its most culturally representative dishes. It has a slightly sweet, slightly tangy flavor with a lot of savory tastes. Sort of like a tomato combined with a slightly over ripe strawberry. It is deceptively good. If you find yourself traveling through Dreagor and your rations run out, you could use Scorchfruit as a good substitute at least until you can reach civilization.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Scorchfruit is a reddish-orange fruit that is round and slightly oblong. It grows on an extremely thick almost tree like stalk, although it is shorter, about 3-4 feet tall. A spiky pinecone-like outer shell grown on top of the stalk while the fruit is developing. When the fruit ripens, the pinecone structure wilts and gives way to the fruit. One Scorchfruit plant, known as a cluster, will produce more than one stalk, almost like “branches” but with the majority being underground. There is no giant tree under the sand however, but rather an expansive root system.

Genetics and Reproduction

Scorchfriut cluster reproduce in an amazing feat of evolutionary genius. When Dwarf Spidorcions eat the fruit, they eat the seed pod in the middle. It is a little known fact that Scorchfruit have one if the most fragile seeds of all plants. To work around this, the seed pod has a dissolvable encasing around the actual seeds, making it so that the fragile seeds inside are safe until excreted by the Spidorcion. The Spidorcion is usually far away from the original cluster at this point, and thus the Scorchfruit keeps from overcrowding one area.

Growth Rate & Stages

Each stem on a Scorchfruit cluster will grow with a small orange pinecone-like growth on top. As it matures more, the pinecone growth will grow and redden, until splitting open and wilting. Inside there will be a reddish-orange fruit. If not picked, the fruit will fall to the ground where it will decay or be eaten by something else.

Ecology and Habitats

Since the Scorchfruit stalks have minimal leaves and cannot take in much sunlight, they have evolved to be where the most sunlight is, in the hottest and brightest climates.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Scorchfruit are found throughout Dreagor and in some parts of the tropical Okana region.

Lifespan

30-70 years

Average Height

3-4 feet (above ground), up to 40 feet (roots included)

Geographic Distribution

• Dreagor
• Half-Way Point