Snailberry Bush - Printable Version +- Sangreal - Fantasy Roleplay (http://193.122.143.38) +-- Forum: Lore of Sangreal (http://193.122.143.38/forumdisplay.php?fid=7) +--- Forum: Biologica (http://193.122.143.38/forumdisplay.php?fid=15) +---- Forum: Flora (http://193.122.143.38/forumdisplay.php?fid=16) +---- Thread: Snailberry Bush (/showthread.php?tid=36)

Snailberry Bush - __denby - 01-19-2025 Snailberry Bush “There will be no yelling at people who are bleeding themselves to unconsciousness.” - Kristen Cashore Summary: The Snailberry Bush acquired such a strange name due to the odd properties of the juices of the berry. Being inedible in its entirety and possessing rather sharp thorns, the berries are rather high in tannin and stranger juices that lead to rather curious changes to the scabbing action of wounds. Allegedly discovered by accident when a sad sod cut himself upon the thorns of the Snailberry Bush by falling off of his horse and into a clutch of them, a strange story made the rounds at his local alehouse.  The poor man claimed that he emerged from the bushes covered in lacerations yet not profusely bleeding as one would expect. Of course, the cuts still hurt like the dickens! Beyond this obvious rumor, believed only by practitioners of witchy brews, not even goats will eat the plant due to the semi-toxic nature of the berries. Basic Description: Rather unappealing in nature, the Snailberry Bush is a sprawling and thorny shrub that possesses broad, green, oak-shaped leaves. Scattered throughout the bush are clusters of small and squishy red berries, often likened to the color of freshly-let blood, though the berries tend to associate rather nearby the lengthy thorns that grow throughout the plant as a defense mechanism. Snailberry bushes possess sharp and rigid thorns made of a hardened, wood-like material that range from one inch to three inches in length which easily penetrate the skin of an unguarded hand, or the very body of a man who falls into the bush, as the rumor suggests. It also possesses a very iron-rich, almost acrid smell that comes from the berries, typically scaring away any birds that might want a snack. Rarity: Rare Location: The Snailberry Bush is by no means a common appearance, it’s rarity caused mostly by the proficient use of natural defense mechanisms causing the plant itself to have a very poor distribution of seeds and generally being a nuisance. Farmers burn it, animals refuse to eat it, birds refuse to make their nests in it, and the broad leaves and thick sprawling nature of the plant causes the seeds from dried berries to not be carried far by the wind. All of these situations combined have pushed the Snailberry Bush to near extinction, making it a rare sight. A hardy specimen, surely, but so hardy that it has stifled its own ability to procreate across the land. When it can be found, it is typically growing in rich, loamy soil, and at times springs up in and around abandoned farmland or freshly graveled roadways due to the presence of horse manure and the ilk. Acquiring seeds from dried berries and planting them elsewhere is not difficult, as the plant is quite capable of growing almost anywhere rich soil may be found. Properties: An incredibly hardy plant, the Snailberry Bush is heavily thorned and sprawling. The bushes' thorns are between one inch to three inches in length and very hard. The berries are mildly toxic and possess a strong acrid odor, typically warding off birds and small animals. The berries are small and squishy, having the coloration of freshly-let blood. It possesses broad, heavy leaves which tend to guard the wind from passing through the plant at any quick speed. The Snailberry bush is rare due to having been pushed to near extinction by farmers, and the prohibitive nature of its defense mechanisms. It is not actually that difficult to grow, but takes some time to reach maturity. Special Properties: The berries are high in tannin, giving the juices natural astringent and cleansing properties, as well as the capability to tan leathers. The berries also possess a strange clotting agent which promotes the growth of lymph scabbing, sealing small and medium wounds quickly with a flexible and rigid scab, generally textured much like a snail’s shell; hence the name. Eating the berries causes intense abdominal pain due to the tannin content, and if consumed in large enough volumes, can cause liver damage.