Running Clumpfoot Felonweed

Abrus intergrifolium, commonly known as the Running Clumpfoot Felonweed, is a herbaceous flowering plant in the bean family Sclaraea. It is a created varietal bred from the Common Felonweed to be more vicious and toxic. Both Common and Running Clumpfoot Felonweeds belong to the greater order of Felonweeds which grow naturally on the northeastern coast of Berth and in the rocky lowlands that form the border between coast and desert. Abrus intergrifolium is most famous for its use in the potion which cures early stages of The Sundering Cough.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Abrus intergrifolium is a slender, perennial climber with long, grey-green, pinnate-leafleted leaves that twines around trees, shrubs, and hedges. It has 2-4cm long spines roughly every 1.5 inches along its dark brown vines, deep-diving roots that are capable of regrowing an entire vine from even a small vestige, and bright red-and-pink seed berries that grow in clusters of 3 to 7. The plant is best known for its seeds, which are used in the production of a potion which treats the early stages of The Sundering Cough, and which are toxic because of the presence of abrin. Ingestion of a single seed, well chewed, can be fatal to both adults and children of most races, though adult dwarves show limited resistance. It has a tendency to become weedy and invasive where it has been introduced.

Growth Rate & Stages

Given ample sunlight and damp soil, any part of the Running Clumpfoot Felonweed can take root and produce a mature plant within six months.

A seedling or propagate's roots can be seen on the surface for a period of approximately a week, during which they spread out and sink into the soil at a distance of up to a foot away from the seed or propagate. After this period, the plant will begin to grow pale green pinnate-leafleted leaves with grey streaks before maturing to the juvenile stage.

The juvenile plant has bright green leaves and stems, and resembles the Common Felonweed almost exactly. The main distinction between the two prior to the fruiting season is that while Common Felonweed is exclusively a climbing plant, the Running Clumpfoot varietal sends its shoots out across horizontal ground as well, which is where it gets its name.

A mature plant begins producing its infamous clumps of red and pink berries, which have been described as resembling the toes of a soft-footed animal. Additionally, the vine spines grow longer and more frequently, and the vines themselves darken to an ashy grey-brown color. At no point does the Felonweed's prolific growth slow.

Ecology and Habitats

Abrus intergrifolium is a severely invasive plant in warm temperate to tropical regions, so much so that it has become effectively pantropical in distribution. It has been widely introduced by humanoids, and the brightly coloured and hard-shelled seeds have been spread by birds. By the end of the Age of Kings, it had been proclaimed as an invasive weed in many provinces across what would later become the Chatia Empire. In the Treoqurian Delta in particular, the plant has invaded undisturbed mangrove forests and caused untold damage to the natural ecosystems there.

Once Abrus intergrifolium plants have grown to maturity under favorable conditions, their deep roots are extremely difficult to remove, and the plants' aggressive growth, hard-shelled seeds, and ability to sucker, renders an infestation extremely difficult to eradicate and makes it very difficult to prevent re-infestation. Magical herbicides such as menix are effective, but need skilled application if they are not to do more harm than good.

Felonweeds are native to the rocky lowlands on the west coast of northern Berth, in the desert-dwelling lizardfolk province of Vonetha Clutch. The Running Clumpfoot Felonweed in particular was first cultivated by the Rapis Dynasty, and spread until it was endemic across the Vonetha coast.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Felonweed

Scientific Name

Abrus intergrifolium

Geographic Distribution

• Blackwood Forest
• Blighted Foothills
• Lirfort
• The Blasted Wastes