Image Credit: Here
Name: Amabalis
Homeworld: Mellaniphe
Development Thread: If Necessary
Average Measurements:
- Height: 30.266 cm (11.9 in)
- Width: 8.255 cm (3.25 in)
- Weight: 269.32 g (9.5 oz)
Cultivation Requirements:
- Type I Atmosphere
- Soil
- Water
Strengths:
- Colonial Growth - While many plants seem to vie for resources to ensure their own growth, the Amabalis plant has developed an odd colonial growth style; in that those Amabalis which are planted together in groups were recorded as being hardier than those when planted alone. This may be in part due to the plants strange labyrinthian root system that combines the plants together; as this is thought to somehow strengthen the plants. Thus rather than vying for resources, the collective Amabalis share what nutrients and water there is to ensure that entirety of the colony survives.
- Natural Pesticide - The Amabalis, when handled, is noted as having a light sheen on its stem and leaves. This sheen is actually a fine coating of oil produced by the plants stems and leaves that acts as a form of natural pesticide. This oil has a similar chemical makeup as those pesticides used for farming, though it appears to be less damaging to those plants in its vicinity or to the soil.
Weaknesses:
- Colonial Growth - While this is a strength for the Amabalis, meaning that the plants are not vying for resources, it is likewise a debilitating weakness to the plants. Those that were grown in this Colonial structure were noted as being more susceptible to root fungus and other virulent infections that were detrimental to the plants. While those Amabalis growing alone were noted as being less likely to spread these diseases onto others.
- Endangered - While the medicinal qualities of the Amabalis cause it to be in high demand, the plant itself is considered endangered. Those that are grown in closed and secure laboratories are often thought to be the last known species of the Amabalis. If this is true, it would mean that a readily supply of burn salves may soon become a rare commodity. In the more recent years there has been a push in attempts to transplant the Amabalis throughout Mellaniphe and even on other worlds in the Galaxy in a bid to get it to take hold and grow as a means to save the plant species.
Distinctions:
- Symmetrical Flowering - The Amabalis Flower is known to bloom into three distinct petals, each with four slender, digit like parts. The internal structure of the petal appears to look like a starburst.
- Labyrinth Root System - Upon repotting of the flower, it was revealed that the roots appear to form a strange lattice labyrinth when growing. Those Amabalis whom were planted together further showed that these lattice labyrinth root systems seemed to connect the plants together, with colonies of the Amabalis proving more hardy than those grown alone.
Average Growth Cycle: 4.5 Months by the Standard Galactic Calendar
Average Life:
- Average Plant Life: 6 Months by the Standard Galactic Calendar
- Average Flower Shelf Life: 1 Week by the Standard Galactic Calendar
Nutritional Value: No known Nutritional Value
History:
Amabalis has been known to the native species of Mellaniphe for centuries, though at that time it was considered as nothing more than a simple decorative flora. Often bouquets of flowers would include the Amabalis because of its brilliant bright pink color. Its medicinal qualities were not discovered until the Actaeanis and Mellaniphe had come in contact with the greater galaxy.
During an attempt to find a means to aid their people, a Quinata Healer was accidentally exposed to Bacta, causing minor burns on their arm. While reaching for a patch, this healer inadvertently placed a flower petal of the Amabalis plant on the burn instead. What they discovered was that the Amabalis Flower had a minor soothing property that aided in soothing the burn and stimulated healing.
Further research and study soon found that the oil secreted by the Amabalis flower could act as a burn salve when turned into a paste. The Quinata Healers then began to process this paste to aid in not only Bacta caused burns; as well as burns from other sources. It was later discovered that this salve had a similar effect on Humans and other Near-Human species.
Intent:
This submission, like many others to come in the following days, is fully intended to further expand upon the rich and otherwise dormant lore of Mellaniphe and its myriad of species. Thus it is likewise intended to provide for additional possibility of story telling and thread creation among Chaos and to aid in producing a more focused and expansive thread development.
