Flower: Weeping Fae
Plant Name: Weeping Fae
Home Island: Prismatic Pass
Unique Properties (OPT): Mildly toxic if ingested; no other physical/medicinal properties.
Practical Uses (OPT): None
Lore / Traditions / Cultural Significance (OPT): Weeping fae open their curled petals when the day settles to slumber and the stars begin to wake. Their name comes from the sepals between each flower petal that resemble a crying face. They are faintly fragrant, prized more for their colour and ornamental value. They prefer loamy, well-nourished land, but tolerate drought well thanks to their hardy tubers. Tubers typically grow only 1 flower, uncommonly 2. They are easy to transplant, and collectors may even graft two together to form an unusual colour hyrbid!
Colours typically range from purple, blue, and teal. Their leaves are individual nodules - much like a succulent - with pinnate leaves that sprout on both sides of each segment. They are soft and silken to the touch. Flower petals are much like rose petals, pliant and velveteen.
Plants begin their lifecycle as special nodules on an adult plant's tuber, eventually breaking off into its own tuber. All plants begin with 5 petals, gaining a petal each year. As they gain petals, the 'head' of the flower grows heavy - most endure for approximately 5 years, reaching a total of 10 petals before the stem can no longer support the weight and break off. While these plants do not necessarily die, they are unable to flower any longer, sprouting only the leaves each year. Though yet to be understood, the flowers do appear to perform a vital metabolic function - these tubers who have lost their flowers typically wither after a few years.
The truly dedicated support the Weeping Fae's growing flower with botanical scaffolding - some have been known to reach over 20 petals! Unfortunately, complications typically arise from the prolonged contact of the flower with the scaffolds, commonly leading to rot. Nourishing a Weeping Fae to such spectacular sizes is a truly herculean feat.
Submitted By faios
Submitted: 1 week ago ・
Last Updated: 1 week ago