Operaat (Op-err-at)
Morning's Bounty
Often called Morning's Bounty due to the plant's tendency to hibernate and awaken on an almost clockwork-like schedule, the Operaat fruit plant is a Churrian favorite for many of their fruit-based dishes. Originally cultivated by the Venestrians it has since gained popularity throughout the Churrian people and the Sanguar Insititute due to its unique but unobtrusive flavors and ease of growth. For many Churrians, it remains a nostalgic snack as, when they were children, they can remember during play the relieving crisp bite of the fruit and its succulent juices during hot summer-like seasons.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Growing along the side of crags and niches in the faces of mountain walls, the Operaat is a plant that seems to almost defy its circumstances. Able to grow as both a wooden vine along cliffsides and as a freestanding tree-like bush when there is nothing to attach to, this fruit-bearing plant grows as a thick stem with many branching limbs that hold thin lanceolate leaves. However, this is not the primary eye-catching feature of the plant. When fruiting, this plant will have bunches of succulent apple-like clusters that easily catch one's attention with their bright red coloration.
Biological Traits
While there are few differences between domestic and wild Operaat variants, there is one primary difference between free-standing and supported versions of the plant where the former will develop a thick stem in the absence of cliff walls or other similar features with which to attach itself. As such, there have been frequent arguments between Operaat cultivators who insist that one type of growth or the other creates better fruit.
Genetics and Reproduction
During reproduction, the plant will sprout a variety of pale blue flowers that are easily discernable against the red foliage and dull mountain ranges of its home region. Considered to be beautiful by many Churrians they are frequently used as a representation of fierce love and are thus often used in many rituals including joining ceremonies, proposals, and life celebrations. It's commonly understood that other flowers or plants that are added around the Operaat flower help to state what kind of love is being given or shown.
Growth Rate & Stages
Growing at a moderate pace, the Operaat plant is known to grow faster along cliffs, walls, or other similar structures that it can utilize as supports as it does not need to develop as thick of a stem in order to stay standing. Taking around 3 years to fully mature, the Operaat will then flower and bear fruit. During this time, cultivators will take the time to ensure pollination as that has been shown to help the plant to develop sweeter fruit.
Ecology and Habitats
Growing easily within mountainous regions thanks to its tough roots and access to plenty of rocky cliffsides, the Operaat is colloquially known as Rock Breaker by Venestrian farmers as the plant is known to, over time, be able to erode rock faces and boulders with its growth. A common tale told around Churrian fires is that of the foolish lord who allowed the Operaat to grow on his fortress home so that he could always have access to its sweet fruit, only to be led to ruin when it eventually destroyed his stone walls.
Biological Cycle
Growing primarily during the growing seasons when sunlight is plentiful, the Operaat plant will grow dormant as it becomes colder. As such, any fruit picked during its late season is carefully stored and preserved so that it may continue to be accessed during the colder months. Curiously enough, this behavior was seen even after the Churrians crossed past the Homestead Gate and away from their home planet. As such, many Churrian calendars and seasons are tracked based on the plant's almost clockwork hibernation cycles.
Additional Information
Domestication
Due to the plant's ease of growth and surprisingly hardy nature, Venestrians, and eventually the entire Churrian species, found the plant relatively easy to domesticate. As such, domestic versions of the plant sport a wide variety of differences as experimentation and cultivation have allowed the Operaat fruit to shift in its sweet and tangy flavor profiles as well as its ability to be kept in smaller or larger spaces.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Primarily used as a fruit base for a large variety of foods, such as the Kashti, due to its unique sweet and tangy flavors, the Operaat is also considered a required ingredient in the popular Aeloria mead whose flavor and warmth are often compared to that of a cozy hearthside. For many Churrians, it otherwise remains a great snack due to the ease at which the fruit can be carried and stored.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Originally from the mountains of Churr, the Operaat plant has now primarily found itself within the gardens and greenhouses of the displaced Churrian people. As such, it is rare to find it outside of these environments although not impossible thanks to the actions of careless gardeners or animal intervention.
Lifespan
8 to 10 years.
Conservation Status
This species is relatively rare throughout Refuge as it is primarily found in Churrian gardens as opposed to being allowed to grow in the wild, though there are exceptions.
Average Height
4 to 5 feet.
Geographic Distribution
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