Mnaak Trees

Mlúkrok: Mnaak /mna:k^h/

Mnaak trees¹ are one of many plant species that are adapted to the intense sunlight in the Tvemna Mountains on the outermost Vorran Peninsula in western Dragonía, caused by the influence of the element of Light in the region. The trees are particularly important for certain fauna and flora found there at higher altitudes, as the large canopies provide them with shade during the day in what is an otherwise relatively barren environment in the western part of the mountains.
Mnaak tree bark and leaves have a distinct metallic sheen, and they produce fruits with silvery peel, orange flesh and bright yellow aril covering the seeds.

Additional Information

Domestication

As with Övúb Flowers, another plant endemic to the Tvemna Mountains, the local reptilian Kroks have so far been unable to cultivate the trees, and thus must make a long and arduous trek up the mountains to harvest the fruits. Due to the bright light, the Kroks need to wear special wooden googles during the journey to avoid going blind at higher altitudes.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Mnaak trees are the source of one of Dragonía's rarest spices, simply known as mnaak, made from dried and crushed aril. The resulting powder is yellow with slight green tinge, and is usually added into various fruit-, vegetable or worm-based dishes in small doses, as mnaak spice can cause nausea in larger quantities.
The fruits are eaten either fresh or dried, though they need to be smoked before drying in order to remove an unpleasant aftertaste, and the seeds are used to alleviate head- and toothache.