Popogan (Po-po-gan)
Dawn's Fruit
In its natural state, the Popogan bush could be described as 'mildly neutral'. Though the fruit of the Popogan is slightly sweet and often appreciated treat for many Churrians, it is often understood that the flavor of the fruit is enhanced not only when it dries, developing citrus-like tones, but also when combined with its thick and earthy flavored twigs to create a surprisingly natural and delicious seasoning that is popular on many meat dishes within Churrian culture. As such, it has remained a fairly consistent commercial product that is still appreciated at many Sanguar Institute gardens and Churrian tables.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Popogan bush is often encountered as a moderately sized bush with firm red stems covered in tinted green and crimson leaves and with either small silver and white flowers or yellow and orange oblong fruit with black speckles. Of the fruit and flowers, the fruit is considered the more interesting of the two as it is not only a delicious treat on its own but also allows for the creation of Popogan spice, which has decorated many Churrian spice racks over the centuries.
When cut apart, the Popogan fruit consists of a juicy, nearly pear-like consistency with a large pit that has caused more than one broken tooth by accident.
Genetics and Reproduction
Cultivated primarily in Churrian and Sanguar Institute gardens and greenhouses and pollinated either by hand or small insects, the Popogan fruit has seen efforts to increase the size of its fruit and stems over time to help not only satisfy the need for the fruit itself but also for the spice that is produced through their combination. Otherwise, assuming no intervention is given, the fruit will naturally deposit its fruit onto the ground to rot and allow for the soil to be properly given enough nutrition to support the plant's sizeable seed pit.
Growth Rate & Stages
Taking around 4 to 5 years to grow to a point of fruiting maturity, the Popogan bush is capable of delivering the earthy portion of its spice at any stage of its growth, as it comes primarily from cuttings of the bush's branching stems. However, as most Churrians would attest to, the mixture of both the mild citrus and strong earthy tones is essential to garner the full spectrum of the plant's flavor.
Ecology and Habitats
Found growing primarily in the valleys and temperate forests of the Churrian's home planet before its destruction, the Popogan bush has been known to thrive in similar climates within Refuge. Often providing an essential meal for many creatures that happen upon the fruiting bush, it has proven to be a consistent and reliable means of stocking up on food before a winter season settles upon the region.
Additional Information
Domestication
Often called 'Dawn's Fruit' due to the Popogan's fruit's coloration and the Churrian's tradition of eating it during sunrises to prepare the body for the day's work, the Popogan bush has seen consistent cultivation throughout Churrian history as a stable food source. However, the plant's popularity increased when it was discovered that by mixing the plant's stem and fruit together into a dry powder, an earthy spice with citrus undertones could be developed which was found to enhance many Churrian dishes.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Kept primarily for its fruit and spice, the Popogan fruit has seen frequent exploitation and cultivation within many Sanguar Institute facilities as the organization explores regions within Refuge. While the fruit itself is not considered the best for dishes such as pies, the raw fruit itself has been enjoyed by many Churrians as a popular and nonoffensive treat. However, many Churrians will be quick to point out that it is the bush's relatively easy-to-make spice that is its primary draw within their kitchens, and as such, many different mixtures of the spice itself have circulated through Churrian culture showcasing different amounts of the seasoning's natural earthy and citrus tones with some particularly brave ones even attempting to incorporate other flavors into its overall mix.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The Popogan bush, though previously common throughout the forests of Churr, can now be primarily found within the gardens and greenhouses of the displaced Churrian people and the Sanguar Institute. 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
15 to 20 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 tall.
Geographic Distribution
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