Image Credit: Here
Name: Viorma
Homeworld: Mellaniphe
Development Thread: If Necessary
Average Measurements:
- Plant Height: 15.24 cm
- Plant Width: 8.255 cm
- Plant Weight: 221.126 g
- Berry Length: 0.635 cm
- Berry Width: 0.254 cm
- Berry Weight: 28.3495 g
Cultivation Requirements:
- Type I Atmosphere
- Water
- Soil
- Ample Sunlight
Strengths:
- Soothing - The leaves of the Viorma plant are known to have a calming and soothing effect, often relaxing the muscles and the individuals mind. When properly processed; through a series of cooking and drying the leaves, then once stepped in hot water to form a tea, the individual is provided a calming effect. This soothing has also been known to aid in the treatment of common colds by soothing the throat (or other such internal opening) of the individual consuming the liquid.
- Mild Anesthetic - When properly processed, the berries of the Viorma plant produce a mild anesthetic. While this is not powerful enough to be used during surgery, it is powerful enough for minor cosmetic work (such as dentistry) or other minor medical procedures in which a small area needs to be numbed.
Weaknesses:
- Poisonous - While the plant does serve for medicinal purposes; it is, in its unrefined state, highly poisonous. Those whom harvest the plant often must wear gloves and other protective gear to prevent from breaking out in hives; while consumption of the raw berry will often lead to indigestion and other intestinal distress.
- Bitter - Even when properly refined, the leaves often leave a bitter taste in ones mouth; usually causing only a few to consume the tea. This causes its marketability to be reasonably lessened as only a few individuals or those species whom enjoy bitter tasting drinks will purchase the processed leaves.
Distinctions:
- Poisonous - Much like its cousin, the Bessera plant, the Viorma plant is likewise poisonous and will often cause the development of hives, welts or even rashes on those whom come in contact with the plant and are not wearing protective clothing. This is, much like in the case of the Bessera, a means by the plant to protect itself.
- Pungent Odor - Unlike its cousin, the Viorma plant gives off a pungent odor that has been likened to the aroma given off by sulfur. This is purely another defensive means to keep individuals and herbivores away from the plant. Though there are a few species in the galaxy which enjoy the smell and import these plants for that reason alone.
Average Growth Cycle:
- Plant Growth Cycle: 5 months by the Galactic Standard Calendar
- Berry Growth Cycle: 5 weeks by the Galactic Standard Calendar
Average Life:
- Average Plant Life: 1-2 years by the Galactic Standard Calendar
- Average Berry Shelf Life: 1-4 weeks by the Galactic Standard Calendar
Nutritional Value: No significant Nutritional Value of note
History:
Like many of the Flora on Mellaniphe, its history is mired in the roots of the cataclysmic war that ravaged the ecosystem for countless eons. The Viorma plant is thought to have evolved natural defenses, such as its ability to survive, and give off a noxious odor that keeps individuals away from the plant. The first use of the Viorma Plant and its Berries is recorded as being a pure coincidence, in that an individual attempting to use the leaves for kindling had found that once they dried out and started smoking, they began to give off a pleasant aroma that was rather soothing.
The discovery and use of the berries, while having less recording, is thought to have happened during some time towards the beginning of the species' survival on Mellaniphe, when it was learned that they were poisonous when consumed raw. Its anesthetic properties were discovered when an individual whom was suffering from a minor pain on their hand rubbed a mixture of molded berries and mud on the welt, only to find that the solution numbed the area.
Intent:
The continued expansion upon the lore, history and development of Mellaniphe, its inhabitants and how those individuals interact with the Galaxy at large.
