Flora of Rathnir and Eldham

Flora of Rathnir and Eldham (full title: Catalogue of the Plants, Algae, and Fungi of Rathnir and Eldham) is a compendium written by Dr. Tara Sauranis containing all known and referenced extant floral species of Rathnir and Eldham. Inspired by her previous bestseller, the Animals of Rathnir and Eldham, its first edition was initially published on March 15th, 2022.

Links are provided for all organisms that have wiki pages.

Recognizing the paraphyletic nature of classifying plants, fungi, and various algaes together, the book is formatted in a "folk-taxonomic" sense for the most part, classifying organisms by their size and appearance rather than their true phylogeny.

Fungi
Fungi are decomposing organisms of a large variety of forms, all classified into the kingdom Fungi. Despite being sessile, they are phylogenetically closer to animals than to plants.

Overworld Higher Fungi
Various larger members of the phyla Basidiomycota and Ascomycota, bearing a fruiting body commonly known as a mushroom.

Brown Mushroom (Agaricus brunneis)

The most common mushroom in the world, with a worldwide distribution. It can be eaten and used in many dishes when boiled. Typically small, it cna grow as high as 18 meters in height.

Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)

A common red mushroom with white spots. Found the world over, it is a commonly-known fungus used both culinarily and recreationally- it bears powerful hallucinogenic effects. Lumofungus (Lumofungus subterranaeus)

Glowing fungus native to the caves of Eldham. It is edible, and eaten by both civilized peoples and wild animals such as the Bunch Sparrow and extinct Cavedigger Sloth.

Glow Lichen (Rutila rutilans)

Despite its name, the Glow Lichen is not a true lichen, as it lacks an endosymbiotic algae. It is able to digest rock and produces a glowing effect as a byproduct.

Nether-endemic Higher Fungi
Most Nether fungi are relatives of Overworld fungi, however they are often reliant on magic to survive the hot temperatures and find enough food to consume. Many genera of fungi, such as Lumofungus and Clavaria, span both the Nether and Overworld.

Crimson Fungus (Arboromyces rubrum)

A large red fungus which grows in the Nether; it has folds hiding its gills due to its large size. Nylium is simply the hyphae of the fungus, whereas the "tree" is the fruiting body of the organism. The fruiting body has dense chitinous tissue that can be used as a building material.

Crimson Root (Clavaria structura)

Nether-native fungus that forms a lichen with a red alga.

Nether Sprout (Lepidostroma congregata)

Small Nether fungus found in the warped forest.

Nether Wart (Infernoverruca inconcinna)

Commonly-cultivated nether fungus used to brew potions. Grows off of soul sand.

Shroomlight (Lumofungus hadensis)

Glowing fungus native to the Nether. Shares a common ancestor with the Lumofungus.

Twisting Vine (Spirampelus regularis)

Large fungal ectosymbiont with Warped Algae in its tissue. Grows upward in a spiral pattern. Possibly related to the extinct Prototaxites.

Warped Fungus (Arboromyces maledictus)

Similar to the Crimson fungus in anatomy, save for its green coloration derived from different algal endosymbionts.

Warped Root (Gigantosporangium cyanum)

Large blue-green mold native to the nether; its fruiting bodies are long with large sporangia.

Infectious Fungi
Russantia Fungus (Russantia dermatophaga)

An infectious parasitic fungus from Haven. It was first discovered in the town of Russantia, Uldarash, where an infection had broken out- this is namesake of the fungus genus. Much of the fungus' nature is heavily debated.

Black Deathspore Fungus (Mortospora nigra)

Despite its foreboding name, the Black Fungus is mostly a plant parasite. However, it can poison the consumer of infected plants.

Neihernspried (Hadiadidomis hunteri)

Also known as "Netherspread". A magically-engineered and rapidly-evolving infectious fungus from Eldham. However, it is cureable in the early stages of infection.

Scoiris (Bleihrenimis contentionem)

A distinct descendant of the Neihernspried. It is similar to Neihernspried. Found in the caves around Myrtle, Anglunia.

Brewer's Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

A common and very important yeast species used in brewing alcohol and baking bread. Can be infectious, but infections of yeast are very rare and benign.

Brown Algae
Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera)

Large kelp species with a worldwide distribution. Forms kelp forests in certain nutrient-rich waters.

Red Algae
Crimson Root Alga (Rubrodactylus tenuis)

Thin terrestrial alga that forms a lichen with the Crimson Forest fungi.

Weeping Vine (Klaiophytus hadensis)

Vine-like terrestrial red alga found in the Crimson Forest.

Green Algae
Warped Alga (Pseudocyanophyta communa)

Alga that forms lichens among many of the Warped Forest fungi.

Bryophytes (Mosses and kin)
Cave Moss (Spelaeobrya laeta)

A common moss species found across Rathnir in caves. Tall, relative for a moss, and leafy.

Carpet Moss (Spelaeobrya tapeta)

Common moss species found across Rathnir. Short and blanketing, but can hybridize with S. laeta.

Pteridophytes (ferns and kin)
Creeper (Ekrixibrya reptis)

A walking plant that can explode. Once used as a source of harvestable gunpowder, the creeper is now highly endangered.

Serrena ardolensis

An ancient lineage of ferns that survived almost unchanged since the Iridaceous period. Found in the jungle of Tacua Province, the fern's spores contain deadly alkaloids that can kill a human two times over if ingested.

Conifers
Sinterland Cedar (Cedrus sinterlandensis)

A cedar tree native to northern Astios. Symbol of the city of Alta Arbor in the AWE.

Ocotlan Pine (Pinus ocotlanensis)

Pine tree native to Ocotlan and neighboring islands.

Norfst Redwood (Sequoia norfthornensis)

A massive conifer that inhabits a stretch of forest in west-central Syltor- specifically from Areska to Obrithyll. Once a contiguous woodland, the population is broken up into chunks thanks to logging.

Nir Cypress (Taxodium yiyenicum)

A rare tree native to Nir Province, prized for its lumber. It is a tall, thin, deciduous conifer, often found with Kumiho Moss hanging from its branches. It is also well-adapted to living partially submerged, as its trunk widens significantly at the bottom. Parts of its roots known as "knees" jut out from beneath the ground to stabilize the tree during floods. It is a keystone species in preventing erosion in the swamp due to this. Its slow growth rate makes it not-ideal for sustained logging.

Broad-leafed Trees
Black Junglewood (Basidiofolia tenebria)

Similar in shape to other Junglewood trees in Rathnir, the tree was almost extinct in the wild prior to the Nir swamps' restoration. It bears darker leaves than other members of its genus, but otherwise has similar growth structure. It is the tallest tree species in the swamps, with its characteristic thick trunk. It prefers to grow mostly on the hammocks and dry ridges above the wetlands proper.

Crystal Tree (Crystalloderma eldhamica)

Rare tree that grows quartz crystals from its bark. It can only grow in mineral-rich soils in certain regions of Onthukhan.

Cherry Spore Blossom (Prunus megaloflora)

Rare flowering tree native to Sylvania.

Nir Water Oak (Quercus nigra nirensis)

Also known as the Nir Live Oak. The most common tree in the Ha Anga Bayou, known for its wide crown of foliage and its tolerance of being immersed in water. Well-desired for its high quality lumber, its unique shape also makes it ideal habitat for nesting birds, arboreal creatures, and many kinds of vines and epiphytes. It is an evergreen, unlike most temperate-climate oaks.

Mangrove-of-Heaven (Rhizopora aethera)

The species of mangrove commonly found growing along the Gulf of Heaven, these aquatic trees thrive in the salty waters of the bayou. Their roots play host to all kinds of creatures, both above and below the water. Being incredibly common, they can be seen in large monocultural strands lining the coasts for miles on end.

Air Plants and Vines
Winter Squash (Cucurbita pepo)

A common domestic gourd found worldwide. Pumpkins are the most commonly-grown cultivar of this species.

Kumiho Moss (Gyeongjagia lichenoides)

Kumiho Moss is a tangled bromeliad native to central Aurlunor that lacks roots. Despite its name, it is not a moss at all, as it is a flowering plant. It hangs from trees in bunches. It is edible when boiled, and is regarded as a famine food. Some affectionately refer to it as "swamp ramen".

Blood Vine (Haemophilium yizilvitezinneum)

Blood Vines, or Yizil'vite'zinne, are an extremely dangerous type of vine that, when touched by a living creature, is able to grab the animal by by coiling itself around its body. After ensnaring its prey, the Bloodvine collects blood through modified elongate stomata on its leaves and stem. The plant uses the nutrients in the blood to grow. Endosymbiotic bacteria in the plant's tissue help the Bloodvine fix substances in the blood into useable materials. They are found in select regions of Mirau and other places in central Eldham. Meat Lily (Nepenthes gigas)

Large carnivorous plant native to Zamotz.

Glow Berry (Rutilaccinium spelaeum)

Vine that produces glowing golden berries. Found in caves and moist, shaded areas worldwide.

Grasses
Swamp Cane (Arundinaria palustris)

The native bamboo species of the Nir swamps, A. palustris is used to weave baskets and provides habitat for many ground-nesting birds, reptiles, and mammals. It often forms large monotypic swaths of marsh called 'canebrakes'.

Saw Sedge (Cladium serratum)

A sedge with toothy edges sharp enough to cut skin. It is used to make thatch by modern Yi'yen people and many other locals in the swamps, and it is favored by alligators to make nests. It is a hardy plant, able to thrive in low-phosphorus soils.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)

A tall grass (commonly 3 meters, but can grow up to 5 meters tall) used and harvested for its abundant sugars. Grows in humid tropical regions worldwide.

Phagosian Turtlegrass (Thalassia phagosum)

As its name suggests, this abundant marine grass is the favored food of sea turtles. It is a very important plant, securing underwater soil from erosion during storms and improving water quality. It provides habitat for all kinds of invertebrates and fish as well as food for the turtles. It grows in the Phagosian Sea region, and is able to tolerate brackish and salt water. Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Most commonly-grown crop in the world. A grain used to make bread and other baked foods.

Corn (Zea mays)

A rare grain known to have been domesticated in Ellysia. Most of its cultivation has been lost, save for a few rare samples of the domesticated variety in the USSE.

Herbs
Sweetmint (Hydrangea dulcus-hamentus)

Found extensively in the birch forests of Haven and Aldovir. Used medicinally in the Morskayan Medication Herbs system in the former UBSR.

Fluffy Tree (Gossypium anglunium)

The Fluffy Tree is a common species of cotton found in Onthukhan that is grown in gardens or on small farms. The fluff is domestically spun into a fiber and turned into clothing, typically for the peasantry or urban poor.

Shrubs
Bitterberry (Callicarpa amara)

Bitterberry shrubs are an Eldham-native shrub found in small clusters, often found growing together at the roots of trees. The leaves have a gentle green color, are rich in nutrients, and bear useful oils. Bitterberry oil has properties that makes it ideal for making ointment, commonly used by Anglunians to alleviate rashes and burns. The berries themselves are purple, and used widely in Anglunian cuisine.

Tea (Camellia aurlunorensis)

Shrub whose leaves are used in the manufacturing of tea. Native to temperate Aurlunor, but now cultivated worldwide.

Mamaco Bush (Mamaccinium spinifer)

Tropical berry bush that grows in the jungles of Vastallos.

Wildflowers
Frostbite Thistle (Cynara cryopagima)

A rare, prickly herb grown in specific low-light conditions in Mirau. They have blue bulbs filled with a sickly sweet liquid. This liquid lures small animals, primarily insects, and then kills them to extract nutrients from the dead organisms. With small doses in larger creatures, the liquid can produce a high similar to alcohol intoxication, and it is highly addictive. Withdrawal effects include hangover-like symptoms and feeling as if one is "chilled to the bone" and looking "frostbitten", caused by cellular damage. Addicts of this substance are often called "thistlers", and have dark purple fingers.

Lunar Rose (Lunarosa angluniensis)

A blue flower that only blooms at night under moonlight. It produces a strong hallucinogen that can be ingested orally or through the skin, and rich Anglunians may bathe in a solution of Lunar Rose to get intoxicated. It is also used to produce a rare blue dye. Bardonian Dandelion (Taraxacum sacrum)

Dandelion species found across Syltor and Nieden. Worshipped in the Bardonian faith of Dandelism.

Opal Orchid (Vanilla independens)

This light-blue flower has an aroma similar to culinary vanilla, as it belongs to the same genus. It is commonly referred to as the "gemstone of the swamps". It has extensive use in making dye and as a garnish in local cuisine, and is a revered symbol of the Seraan culture in Nir and Hampo provinces.