Hénéphgýa

A plant known for its fragrant, versatile resin.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Hénéphgýa are slender trees with large, feather-like leaves. Their bark is rather smooth and has an emerald green tint. The leaves are of a dark violet with broad, silvery green stripes.

Genetics and Reproduction

The trees produce small nuts whose outer shells become soft and fragile during autumn. Once the shell ruptures along the central seam, an elastic coil expands and shoots the nut far away from the parent plant. Protected by its inner shell, the nut hibernates until next spring.

Growth Rate & Stages

Hénéphgýané grow about two meters during their first year. By the end of their first decade, the growth rate has slowed down to about half a meter per year.

Ecology and Habitats

The tree thrives in tropical climates with warm temperatures and high levels of humidity. It is native to the jungles by the Rýbónoca River, mostly in northern Héphamóhis, southern Bónyónis and southern Vyperlahis.
Trade within the Nimýric Empire has spread it to the eastern side of the continent, so it can also be found in northeastern Rovonulis, western Rygevis and southern Nimýris.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The most important component of the plant is its oily resin which has a wide range of applications.

Medical Applications

Among the earliest documented uses was the treatment of wounds. The sticky substance seals the broken skin, stopping the bleeding and creating a barrier against dirt or parasites. Additionally, the ethereal oils contained in the resin are known to ward off infections.

Cultural Applications

When the resin is burnt, it releases its ethereal oils in a fragrant smoke. This smoke is commonly used during religious ceremonies, both in temples and at household shrines. Alternatively, these oils can be distilled and mixed with other lipids to create perfumes, soaps or bath additives.

Technical Applications

The resin becomes solid as the ethereal oils evaporate. Even before that happens, it is impossible to remove the substance with water. This makes the resin ideal for water-proofing fabrics or wood, for example in the construction of tents or ships. Furthermore, the hardened resin is non-conductive, which means it can be used to insulate electrical wires or to glue together the components of a spark jar.

Lifespan

50-70 years

Average Height

30-40 m

Related Materials

• Hénéphgýa Resin