Sleepaway fern
Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
Two times a year the plant will produce vividly orange flowers, about the size of a man's palm, for pollination. When the local bees pollinate the flowers, the plant will produce very spicy purple berries, which most creatures won't touch. The local birds, however, lacks the receptors for the intense spicy chemical that gives off the extremely spicy taste, and will eat the berries that repel other creatures. In this way, the plant will spread its seeds.
Usually the flowering happens during the months of Field Seed in spring and Fireleaf in autumn, but weather conditions and slightly abnormal temperatures might shift these periods both earlier and later.
Usually the flowering happens during the months of Field Seed in spring and Fireleaf in autumn, but weather conditions and slightly abnormal temperatures might shift these periods both earlier and later.
Growth Rate & Stages
The plant itself will grow most of the spring, summer and autumn, while the root will keep the plant alive during the colder periods of the year. It will reach full size in four or five years, then it will shrivel up and die during the next winter.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Berries
The berries of the sleepaway fern is used in some local dishes along the southern coast of the continent, though in very small amounts for a more spicy taste. They are also used as dares, and spontaneous competitions of how many berries you can eat are popular among the young and daring of the population.Root
The root of the sleepaway fern is a powerful stimulant that will make the user able to stay awake and alert for days at a time, without succumbing to the need to sleep. The root is dug up and cleaned, and the user just gnaws on the root whenever they feel tired or sleepy.
No blessing comes without a price, and the effect of the sleepaway root can only be maintained for a couple of days to a week at a time, depending on the individual. The danger of getting addicted to the root is extremely high, and after two days almost all users will experience heavy withdrawal symptoms. When the effect of the root starts dwindling, the user will have great trouble falling asleep, but exhaustion from staying awake for days will start creeping up on the user, and they will become an awake, but exhausted mess if they keep taking the root.
If the user tries to stop using the root after getting addicted, withdrawal symptoms will be horrible. Still unable to sleep for several days yet, hallucinations of horrible, nightmarish creatures will torment the person. The feeling of what has been called the brain jolts, where it feels like lightning being shot through the brain, will happen regularly. In addition, a high fever combined with varying degrees of nausea will be affecting the addicted on and off. After a week or two the withdrawal symptoms will go away, but many users won't manage to get through this period without succumbing to the withdrawal soothing effect of the sleepaway root.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The sleepaway fern grows mainly in the southern parts of Kupria and Asharia, especially along the coast. It doesn't like dry areas, but thrives in more damp and warm areas with much sunlight.
Both roots and berries are exported from the areas where the fern grows to other areas, even across borders.
Both roots and berries are exported from the areas where the fern grows to other areas, even across borders.
The flowers growing on the sleepaway fern.
Lifespan
5 years
Average Height
70 cm
The leaf of the sleepaway fern.
I found this species plant article to be a nice comprehensive read! I enjoyed all the aspects you touched upon, from its scientific naming roots, the way different parts of the plant are used, its positive and negative effects, and how people in your world view the use of the plant. The hand drawn art also gives this a nice vibrant touch!