Frost Orchid

Nutrition: The Frost Orchid get's the majority of it's nutrients from the Corpse Lichen
Environmental adaptation: Frost orchid have adapted to the cold by engaging in a symbiotic relationship with the Corpse Lichen . The orchid gets the lichens frost resistance, nutrients and water, the lichen gets the extra nutrients boost during winters as the Frost Orchid lures in herbivores and killing them, leaving the body to decompose on the lichen.
Defense: The flower is poisonous to living creatures, causing them to fall unconscious immediately at ingestion.
Reproduction: The seeds propagate inside the stomach of the unfortunate animal that ate the flower. The flower is therefore often found in clusters as the seed don't travel far from the mother plant. The seed can survive for longer periods of time in the stomach of a animal, causing some further spread across greater distance.
Utility: Can be used to create spare the dying paste with a herbalism kit or to create a poison with a Poisoner's Kit

Basic Information

Anatomy

The frost orchid have a beautiful flower, reminiscent of a snowflake in different hues of blue. The leaves are small and unseeming during the summer and are shed during the autumn.

Genetics and Reproduction

The seeds propagate inside the stomach of the unfortunate animal that ate the flower. The flower is therefore often found in clusters as the seed don't travel far from the mother plant. The seed can survive for longer periods of time in the stomach of a animal, causing some further spread across greater distance. The seed needs to land in a patch of Corpse Lichen to survive.

Growth Rate & Stages

A seed that has landed in a patch of Corpse Lichen, starts propagating as soon as the temperature raises above freezing. The seed quickly produces a few roots that connects to the Blood Lichen and a few leaves for sunlight absorption and photosynthesis. During the summer it grows as much as it can, and the first winter it flowers.

Ecology and Habitats

The Frost Orchid is found in cold climates, such as the arctic and above the snowline on mountains. It is also limitied to the spread of Corpse Lichen.

Conservation Status

Uncommon

Geographic Distribution

• Excelsior Mountains