Qiao'hon

The Sweet Gold of Southern Tolara

Saleh'Alire » Flora ⭲ Trees

When we, the Timber elves first came to delta, we were led to the tree by Tarsellis himself ... It was known to us by its rich purple, which made clear that it was his gift and blessing to us. And on this, we built our greatest city to honor him

— Timber Elf telling the story of how they came to the Nang Kap'ahu Delta

One of many discoveries made by Yen Tae-Hyun during her team's multi-year exploration of Tolara's southern peninsula, the Qiao'hon has become a valuable fruit for the people of the Nang Kap'ahu Delta and Ajda-Donesh Basin, and its surrounding areas. Despite its popularity and high value, however, the fruit is hard to obtain outside of its native range; Qiao'hon can only be picked once ripe, the soft fruit does not transport well, and cultivation outside of the southern peninsula has proven unsuccessful.

Description

The Qiao'hon tree, unlike many others in the Ajda-Donesh Basin and Nang Kap'ahu Delta, is short- averaging between 15 to 20 ft (49 to 65 m) tall. Though like the surrounding trees, it has a wide canopy that spreads out to garner as much sunlight as possible in the dense undercanopy of its native region. The leaves of this canopy are thick and waxy, almost like that of a succulent, and retain water well- a necessary adaptation as their fruit required a lot of water to grow.
Its small trunk, which averages between 5 and 8 ft (4.5 to 06 m) in diameter, is covered in a thick layer of bark. This can be peeled back to expose a softer underbark without damaging the tree. During the dry season, however, this bark becomes covered in thick pustules which eventually form into its signature fruit in the late cold season.
Before producing fruit, during heavy periods of rain, the Qiao'hon produces hundreds of tiny, waxy petaled flowers often called Qia Blossoms. These range from white, to light pink, to a deep purple in color, sometimes on the same tree. Since the fruit does not grow from these flowers, however, Archivists are baffled as to why the Qiao'hon flowers at all.
Still, these flowers give off a lovely floral aroma during bloom, enticing numerous bugs to the trees. As a result, Archivists theorize the flowers are produced solely as a food source for the region's insects- a theory considered to hold significant weight since several species (such as the Hao'yin Butterfly and Ila'vis Beetle) rely on the flowers as their only food source.

Type
Fruiting Tree
Domestication
None
Lifespan
100 years
Average Height
15 to 20 ft
4.5 to 06 m
Average Canopy
20 to 30 ft
06 to 09 m
Average Trunk
5 to 8 ft
1.5 to 2.5 m
Average Yield
300 fruit

Fruit

Salak by Weekend Edition

The fruit produced by the Qiao'hon is small and orb-like with a pointed lower tip- similar in shape to a macadamia nut but roughly the size of one's palm, and covered in a thick outer skin that looks much like snake scales. This skin is prickly and sharp, and can easily cut the hands of one who harvest the fruit carelessly and without the proper attention; it's not uncommon for those who harvest Qiao'hon to come back with palms and arms covered in abrasions.
Thankfully it is easy to tell when the fruit of the Qiao'hon is ripe. On the tree, the fruit remains an almost sickly green yellow color throughout its development. Just before ripening, however, the fruit turns brown- followed by a deep purple before falling off the tree on its own; while the fruit is safe to eat when brown and is often picked this way during harvest, it's the purple fruit that falls off the tree which has the better flavor.
Inside the Qiao'hon fruit are 12 to 14 sections surrounded by a spongy white flesh. Each of these pockets contains a large black seed surrounded in a jelly like substance colored a deep orange and blood red. Both the spongy white flesh and jelly like seed cover can be consumed raw or cooked, while the seeds are toxic and cannot be eaten.
Those who have eaten it describe the spongy interior as being creamy and almost vanilla flavored- while the jelly has a tart and citrusy flavor. Despite being nutrient dense and having a high water content, however, the jelly is oily in texture and stains hands, fingers, and clothes easily- leading some people to have an aversion to that part of the fruit.

Uses

Qiao'hon is highly prized among those who live in the Ajda-Donesh Basin and Nang Kap'ahu Delta for a number of reasons. One of those, is how many things the tree can truly provide for those living within its native range. These uses span from the basic nutritional, to the rare spiritual. And although the fruit is difficult (if not impossible) to export to other regions, the Qiao'hon tree still has some export value in other ways- providing a much needed source of income for those residing within southern peninsula of Tolara.

▼ Food ▼

The fruit of the Qiao'hon tree is one of its best offerings; high in nutrients, it's an integral food source for native species to the region- as well as settlers there, and can be consumes at almost any stage. Qia blossoms can also be used to make tea, and the leaves can be consumed for their water during the dry seasons.

▼ Stimulant ▼

In low doses Qiao'hon's tough outer bark has a stimulating effect. Flattened and tenderized, or shredded, it's frequently used as a chew for soldiers, scouts, caravaners, and other individuals who are often required to stay awake for long periods of time.

▼ Pain Relief ▼

Qiao'hon's outer bark also has numbing properties- something noted by those who use the bark orally. For that reason it's commonly used as a pain reliever and numbing agent for those with skin wounds, toothaches, sore throats, and other minor ailments.

▼ Perfume ▼

The tree's Qia blossoms have a distinct, soft floral aroma with dry, woody undertones and a hint of citrus. While soft on the nose, however, the aroma is strong- and the flowers' oil may last for days. For that reason it's commonly distilled into body and bath oils, and perfumes. These can then be exported for much needed income.

▼ Recreation ▼

In high doses Qiao'hon's outer bark can be used as a drug, causing feelings of euphoria. Overdosing, however, can cause hallucinations- especially in those who are sensitive to its effects. For that reason it's used more in ritual practices, though some people may use it recreationally.

▼ Ritual ▼

Its hallucinogenic and euphoric properties have found ritual use among the Orkind of the Hiatal Mountains- who believe it allows them to see into the Ethereal and Liminal planes. As a result, it has become an integral part of their cultural practices surrounding Ancestor Veneration.

To make Hastra'i as the Timber Elves of western Nang Kap'ahu do: In a mortar combine 4 handfuls Qiao'hon jelly from 8 fruits, a spoon full of the sponge, a handful of marsh sugar, and a pinch of Qiao'hon bark... Pulverize and add to a glass blown pitcher... Fill with fresh Da Hong Pao tea, stir, and allow to set for two days before drinking; serve with a salad of fresh watercress and Hau Sa during the dry season for quick rejuvenation.

— The Foods of Nang Kap'ahu