Biota of Kejafros

The continent of Kejafros is unique biogeographically. Located in the southern hemisphere of Abexilas, its flora and fauna have been subject to their own unique evolutionary pressures, and as a result it and the other southern continents' wildlife are noticeably distinct from the northern ones. Some northern organisms have immigrated to the region on a geologically recent timescale, most notably humans, other sapient races, and their livestock and crops.

It is thought that Kejafros, Rozakkora, and possibly parts of Halinn were once part of their own separate continent in the ancient past; this is why many plant and animal clades common in the north are rare or absent in the south, and why the southern continents bear much similarity among each other with regards to endemic species.

Anque Horsetail
A silicious, spore-bearing rush common in the bayous and freshwater inlets of Ischanor and Zilatra. It grows relatively fast, and grows up to a meter at maximum height. Occasionally harvested as a vegetable, but not preferred due to its high silicon content.

Mountain Horsetail
A small herbaceous horsetail, consisting of at least one species that is only found on the mountain plateaus of Ischanor in humid, cool environments.

Tree Fern
There exists a number of arborescent ferns awaiting classification. Particularly in the temperate rainforests and swamplands they are abundant, though it is possible to cultivate them across the country. These ferns are tolerant of freezing so long as their stems remain intact; come spring, the dead fronds are shed & new ones grow.

Fechlini
A conifer with long, spine- or lance-shaped leaves growing along most of the stem. Its name means "thorn-stem" in Ischanic. There are numerous forms, including large umbrella-like trees in temperate rainforests, and more commonly, hardy conical trees more reminiscent of pinopsid conifers. Bear massive seed cones, some the size of human heads. The seeds are edible and harvested by foragers.

Hwoknōlik
Also known as "podocarp". These shrubs or small trees comprise much of the understory of the austral taiga, and likely contain several genera. They produce edible red arils which are mistaken for berries.

Great Santhal
Tall conical trees that bear whorl-like leaf arrangements, and tend to grow conical in shape, but have smaller cypress-like cones. Fire resistant, but grows mostly in the coastal rainforests.

Black Santhal
Similar to its coastal relative, but much hardier. Can resist strong freezes or dry climates, though it does not grow very tall in its natural state. The single most widespread conifer species in Kejafros.

Acacia
Acacias tend to prefer warmer climates, though some are hardy into temperate zones. It is thought that ancestral dry-season-deciduous acacias were able to colonize colder forests; resultingly, the temperate forests will often have an understory of acacias which shed their leaves in winter. Their seeds are edible and eaten by many animals in the forests, including humans.

Anque Willow
A northern immigrant, the willow is another fast-growing plant that has recently naturalized, as far as evolution goes anyway. It is a resident of swamp forests, riparian zones, and other hydric environments. It is an immensely important tree, as its twigs are used for making wicker and wattle for crafts and construction, and its natural oils are useful for a myriad of folk-medicines.

Beech
Various species of southern beech make up the majority of the deciduous broadleaf forests of Kejafros, replacing what would otherwise be predominantly oak. These beech trees are most valuable for lumber, though they do produce edible nuts. Roughly every half-decade, the trees go into a 'mast' phase where they drop more nuts than usual, which is a boon for foraging wildlife and peoples alike.

Eucalyptus
With peeling bark and glaucous leaves, many of the eucalypts superficially resemble birch, though their growth habits are less vertical and bark texture more patchy than strippy. Eucalypts tend to grow secondarily to beech, though may become dominant in floodplains or riparian forests. The leaves are toxic, but useful as incense or medicine. The trees are most importantly used for their lumber and resin, however.

Quemi
Known to foreigners as "southern laurels", the world quemi describes a number of broad-leafed evergreens found throughout the continent, and is related to an ancient Aysar word for "teardrop" because of their leaves' shape. The trees have an aromatic wood and bark, which is ground into a fine powder and used as a spice for baked goods. The trees are rather sensitive to frost, and won't survive long deep freezes, and only grow to full size in warm regions.

Snowbark
A frost tolerant laurel, the snowbark or elvneuī is a small broad-leafed shrub with white flowers. It is an incredibly hardy shrub, growing in cold and dry areas as well as coastal forests. Its bark is useful as a remedy for scurvy.

Common tea tree
Laurel shrub with purple flowers and short, pointy leaves that grows commonly in the forest understory. Its leaves are useful in making a sort of drinkable tea, which is said to bring many health benefits. It also bears an extractible oil with similar properties. It is again also useful in that it produces a particularly sweet honey, which is incredibly valuable.

Prophet's bloom
There exists a special tea tree species whose oil is a potent psychoactive drug. Related to the more banal tea tree, the Prophet's bloom can only be grown in specific mesic soils of low acidity, but not too neutral or alkaline. The oil is not known to affect bees, but can induce hallucinations and is used both recreationally and to commune with higher powers among sophont cultures.

Redbark
Shrub or small tree with smooth, orange-colored bark and glossy leaves. A common understory tree in the forests, it bears fragrant flowers that are favored by bees. The tree is also cultivated in parks and landscaping for its unique look and pleasant smell.

Vedanican Poppy
Common frost-tolerant wildflower found throughout Kejafros. It is weedy, growing very fast, and producing hundreds (if not thousands) of seeds per capsule. It is the only poppy native to the region, and it is likely a recent immigrant from the northern continents that has since become widespread. Though once a harmful invasive at one point, it is now integrated into the local environment as a key food for pollinating insects.

Solid-stem Bamboo
Whilst most bamboos are hollow, the complex of Kejafrosian bamboo species are mostly solid throughout. They are incredibly durable and used to make tool handles, wattle, and various other materials, and are widely cultivated in temperate regions due to their hardiness.

Copper Frog
Common orange-colored frog native to the Sek Anque, along the border of Ischanor and Zilatra. Considered to be the best native frog for eating.

Qelusha
A large amphibian with a spade-shaped head that grows to nearly three meters. It is able to hibernate in freezing weather, allowing it to occupy a similar niche to crocodilians in the cooler climates of the far south. it lives mostly in swamps, lakes, and slow-moving rivers, eating mostly fish and mollusks but is known to eat people and livestock as an ambush predator.

Pfearoi
A large, flightless bird of the prairies and savannas. It bears a shaggy coat and sharp spurs on its wings. Both wing spurs and toe claws are used in self-defense, though it prefers to run than fight. The pfearoi is a generalist, eating seeds, fruit, sprouts, roots, and any small animals it may find.

Bahal
Also known as a pfaha. One of the largest of the native ungulates, the bahal superficially resembles a gazelle or llama. It dwells in herds on the plains and open woodlands of the continent.

Ischanic Elephant
The largest of the terrestrial fauna of the continent, the Ischanic elephant reaches about 2.5 meters (rarely 3) tall at the shoulders, and weighs at most 5 tons. They are hairier and stockier than other elephants, and bear cuspate teeth. Instead of grazing, these elephants are forest-dwelling browsers and prefer tree foliage, with a particular preference for acacia seed pods.

Sēdquis
The native horse species of Kejafros. These wild horses are hard to tame for riding, and the only ones used as mounts or draft animals are often interbred with domestic horses. Historically, these horses were domesticated as livestock, and in many regions of Ischanor horse meat is still seen as a delicacy.

Wild Oxen
One of the most common animals of the Kejafrosian megafauna, these wild cattle were once followed by herds of human and elven hunters as they entered the continent thousands of years ago. They are still revered by the Lachawakans, the last hunter-gathers in the land.