THE
ALLIA |
The Allia
(plural
"Allia" as well) is a small plant that bears a flower ranging from a soft
violet to a grayish purple in color. This plant bares a dark purple berry
cluster that, though poisonous, can be used for dying clothes. It is found
across mid-Santharia, thriving in heaths
and fields as well as near forests.
Appearance. Allia is
a rather small plant reaching no larger than a fore in height. It has a slender,
deep-green stem from which leaves, shaped like elongated arrowheads, grow from.
Leaves vary in size, appearing larger at the bottom of the plant and smaller at
the top, but usually grow no larger than half a palmspan in length.
The flower of this plant, which usually blossoms in mid to late spring, is found
in various shades of purple, ranging from a soft yet rich violet color to a
duller, grayer purple hue. The flower contains five petals, two of which are
larger than the others. Instead of growing facing upward, these flowers grow
facing across with the two larger petals on the lower part of the flower and the
three smaller ones on top. This makes it easier for insects, especially the
malise, to enter the flower
and spread pollen among flowers.
In early to mid autumn, the petals fall away and a berry cluster is formed. This
berry cluster contains a multitude of small berries connected to a central spire
that grows out from where the flower once was. The
spire to which the berries are connected, often called a berry spire, often
curls in elegant fashions. The berries usually start out as an orange or
orangish-yellow, but eventually ripen into red and finally a rich purple. These
berries are often harvested for cosmetics or dye, though hey are poisonous to
most animals.
Territory.
The Allia is found in a wide range across the middle of the
Santharian Kingdom, commonly
growing in heaths and meadows as well as near forests.
Allia are found as far north as
Voldar, growing around all but the
northernmost border of the Thaelon Forest.
They are also commonly found in the Heath of Jernaís,
the Aurora Fields, and the Heath at Salazar,
but as well around Vontron, the
Shivering Woods and the
Quallian, save the forest's
western border, as well as around
the Istarin, Paelelon and
the Almatrar. Finally Allia also grow on the
northern border of the Zeiphyrian
Forest and around all the borders of the
Auturian Woods
except the western. However, Allia grows
no farther south than the Tolonian Heath.
These plants in general tend to be picky about
where they grow and will not grow in or near an area
where another Allia or some large plant has taken root. For this reason they are
never found in clusters or bushes.
Usages.
The Allia’s purple berry is poisonous and may be used for such a purpose.
Ingestion of this berry usually leads to death within a few days. A victim of
these berries may experience severe stomach pains. Some magi, especially clerics
of Nehtor, have been known to be able to
undo the effects of the poison. Allia berries are also used for dyes, most
commonly to the Caltharian
tribe. In autumn, Caltharian
women and children may be seen colleting these berries in baskets and aprons
just for this purpose. They’re often used for various cosmetics as well.
Nevertheless Allia are not usually planted in gardens
due to their finicky nature.
Information provided by
Rayne Avalotus
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