Vérian Wild Ginger
There was (usually) nothing mysterious, mystical or magical about Vérian Wild Ginger, but it was exceedingly useful and, in the right foods, tasty too. It was also not completely identical to the Common Wild GInger, with sufficient variances to warrant its own classification. It had one unique aspect which marked it out - its defences - and we will come to those shortly.
You could usually find other patches of Vérian Wild Ginger deeper in the forest, where the ground was softer and more shaded, where one did not risk becoming dinner for the bug population.
Where You Could Find It
You could find this in Shanvér Woods at the foot hardwood trees, in the shade rather than any breaks in the forest canopy (few though there were!). They were more plentiful in damper conditions, but even in drier times, it seems the leaves retained sufficient water for its survival. Post First Destruction Note: Shànver was the name given to what we now refer to as Shan da San.Identification
Vérian Wild Ginger was different from other ginger plants and had edible carrot-like roots and leaves. You had to look for the tell-tale, green, heart-shaped foliage, and carefully dig around the plant before gently removing it from the ground. Signs at frequently-used entrance and exit points reminded visitors to only take what they required. Further guidance included not removing the root unless it was needed, so the plant could bear leaves again in the next season.Potency
Vérian Wild Ginger was potent, especially during the Spring. By “potent” we mean both in flavour and in effect when used in potions and salves. In this season, you had to utilise the leaves first as those died quickly once the plant was uprooted.Uses of Vérian Wild Ginger
Stomach/Gut
The root, eaten raw, relieves stomach and gut complaints.Nose-based Maladies
When crushed, both the root and leaves could be added to soups or stews to ease a stuffy nose, whether caused by allergy or seasonal maladies. Indeed, sitting near a bubbling pot of such stew was known to clear the sinuses. An alternative was to add it directly to a campfire. However, the effectiveness of this depended on the atmosphere and whether you had difficulties with breathing near smoke.Muscles and Wounds
While Vérian Wild Ginger was not a curative, wounds partially treated with it appeared less swollen and with reduced reddening. In the case of muscle spasm, or sore shoulders from carrying too much, applying Vérian Ginger, especially the crushed leaves, to creams (see below) reduced inflammation.Creating a Balm in the Wild
When traversing the wood, synthesising a cream made in a Shevezzi laboratory was, of course, impractical. However, there were other options for the “carrying” substance.- Purple-Black Wax
The Violet Back Bees native to Shanvér produced excess wax around their hives and in the crevasses of trees. While often sought after for commercial purposes, it remained malleable at temperatures most other waxes solidify. - Zylva Sap and Water
Zylva Sap was a substance experienced travellers knew not to apply directly to the skin. Due to its adhesiveness, it could take days of trying to scrape it off. However, Zylva Sap, from the Bycha Zylva trees, could be applied safely when mixed with water (rainwater sufficed if far from the Tarran Stream) and Vérian Wild Ginger. This method was better for wounds rather than general inflammation, because a "skin" forms over the mixture, creating a seal for cuts, cleaned bites and abrasions.
Venomous and Self-Defending
There was one aspect unique to Shanvér variety of wild ginger; its defences.
Occasionally, either following over-exposure to the light, or a dry winter, the natural levels of wild ginger could be lower than is expected.
In this instance, the plant spawned what was described as a "horror with three petals". Despite the appearance, it could not bite, though its inner stemens were barbed so touching them could result in deep cuts. Its worst (or "most effective") mechanism was its ability to spray any creature that ventured too close with a foul-smelling gas that attracted the biting type of insects.
In notes from the Shevezzi "New Citizens' Library" it is recorded that they thought this served two purposes; as a deterrant for those who would pick or trample them, and that the insects chosen were, in fact, pollen carriers and thus assisted in rebalancing the Vérian Wild Ginger population. As "pollen alone does not a plant make", we were unable to take any samples from those sprayed members of our teams to confirm this.
It's Status Post Reclamation
The so-called "Reclamation Project", which sought remnant plant and animal life destroyed during the war that ravaged Shanvér had initially taken cuttings back to the laboratory. However, before it could be seeded in the Recovery Gardens, the above defensive flowers had spawned, and more than we had envisaged. As we could not get close enough to attempt propagation, sadly, this led to its complete loss. The Vérian Wild Ginger was a victim of its own defences, by unknowingly locking out its only hope of salvation.Section List
EXTINCT
Origin/Ancestry
Used to abound in Shanvér Woods prior to the War leading to the First Destruction.
Though I modified the original files, images were found on the following sites.
→ GardeningKnowHow.com
→ Gardenia.net
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