Ramli al-Hanzal

Ramli al-Hanzal are a widespread desert vine native to the arid regions of Alkelbulan and Yaxiya. These bitter melons are also called sand melons, bitter apple, colocynth, bitter cucumber, egusi melon, vine of sodom and desert gourd. It bears small, hard fruits with an extremely bitter and toxic pulp. It is mostly cultivated for it's nutritious seeds, the fruit only used as a laxative and as a weapon. Yet what Ramli are most infamous for is their ability to summon radioactive sandstorms! The Kaithur of this plant is concentrated into the fruit and is activated either when they fully ripen or when impacted. When activated, a sudden and bright burst expands or swirls into a sandstorm, these sands laced with powerful radiation. Local Toubou and Imaziɣen nomads of Sahra' al-Shams are known to crush or throw them onto the ground in combat and to cover their retreat. But if one is gentle, they can still cut and extract the seeds without activating it's ability. Producer Evergreen Epiphyte Flowering Herbaceous Toxic Trichome

Kaithur

Rithaldis' Aura Thanks to Rithaldis' Aura, this vine is able to generate or summon a kind of radiant energy which includes sunlight, solar plasma and radiation. While the vines can protect themselves with their aura, the ability is most concentrated into their melons, activated when crushed or fully ripe and producing a burst of solar energy, bright and radioactive. Ilnid's Aura Ramli al-Hanzal is able to generate or summon a sandstorm by using Ilnid's Aura. While the vines themseles are able to protect themselves with this ability, it is most concentrated into their melons. Their aura is activated when the melons are crushed or fully ripe, swirling out and expanding before traveling in a given direction until it peters out.

Anatomy

These vines have long, tuberous roots and its vines are hairy and angular. Ramli al-Hanzal can survive in extremely arid regions thanks to its long tap root and excellent water management. It is also unbothered by the radiant energy of Saha Shamsi thanks to its aura. These vines spread out in all directions seeking out something to climb, preferring shrubs and herbs. The leaves are triangular with three to seven lobes and covered by small but rough hairs called trichomes. Their fruit is small, changing from green to yellow and white when ripe and gaining a sandpaper like rind. Original Ancestor Lifespan Expectancy Citrullus colocynthis Bitter Desert Gourd Perennial Several Years Length Leaves Fruit 8-10 ft 2-3 m 1.5-2.3 in 4-6 cm 2-3 in 5-8 cm diameter Coloration Its gourds are green but turn yellow and white when ripe. The rind become rough like sandpaper as they ripen, especially between its white stripes. The pulp is also white while flowers are yellow.

Habitat

Desert Coastal Semi-Desert Shrubland Montane Rural These vines grow in sandy and arid soils, surviving under extreme desert conditions. It can tolerate annual rainfall of 250-1500 mm (10-59 in), growing from sea level and up to 1500 m (4900 ft). It can tolerate sandy loam, subdesert soils and sandy sea coasts. They are found in Arabiyyan and Shamsi Deserts, Kemet, Birit Narim, Parsa, Sesli Plato and even Xishi Shamo, Bharat and southern edges of the Frozen Wastes.

Life Cycle

Angiosperm Asexual Cloning Stolon Monoecious Pepo Gourd Ramli al-Hanzal reproduce by seed or vegetative reproduction, a form of asexual reproduction. This can be through the expansion of their stolons, small grasping stems, or by a new plant growing from a fragment or cutting of the parent plant. While the explosive sandstorm Ramli are known for generating can be used defensively, its main purpose is to to scatter its seeds into the desert! These seeds are 5 mm long and gray, bitter with a nutty flavor rich in fat and protein. Its fruits are small, smooth and perfectly round, turning yellow with white patterns when nearly ripe. The surface is grainy, akin to sandpaper, while the pulp of the fruit is soft, dry and spongy with a white hue and many seeds. Each plant can produce 15-30 fruit.

Uses

Aside from its uses in combat, Ramli al-Hanzal can be a source of food and medicine--so long as one is cautious. The Arabiyy use it as a laxative, diuretic and for insect bites and powdered Ramli can be used externally with aloes, unguents or bandages. But most commonly, the sap treats skin eruptions in Shamsi Camels. Ramli al-Hanzal gourds are cultivated for their seeds, separated from the pulp, rinsed and cooked in order to be edible. These seeds are especially desired for their oil but in times of scarcity, they are ground into a flour and made into bread because this flour is actually rich in micro nutrients and proteins. While much of the vine itself is toxic, its flowers are actually edible and one can obtain water by chewing on stem tips of the vines. Finally, the oil of the seeds can be made into soap.