Ruddles Flower

Ruddles flowers grow on fertile ground in areas with temperate climates. They are typically sought after for their disinfectant and cooling properties.

Basic Information

Anatomy

They are small bushes that originate from one woody stem. The leaves are long with a linear shape and lobate edges. The flower heads are round, with a central disk covered in small, ornate flower petals that form a domelike shape. The bushes typically have multiple flower heads that grow back all season until the plant dies after producing small half-moon-shaped seeds.

Genetics and Reproduction

The flower is an annual plant that dies back after the temperature gets chillier towards freezing for a longer timeframe. The seeds ripen underneath the flower petals on the central disk. As soon as the half-moon-shaped seeds mature, they release the wilted flower petals and get distributed within the immediate surroundings by the wind and passing by animals.

Growth Rate & Stages

Ruddles flower bushes go through multiple stages within the year - growing, blooming, seeding, withering, and passing away.

Growing

The distributed seeds germinate under the sunlight on damp soil. Little seedlings grow into small bushes of up to 40 cm in height and develop small ball-shaped flower buds.

Blooming

The previously formed flower buds slowly open in daylight and will close when it gets dark several times in succession. It will continue to bloom and develop new flowers until the blooming season moves on to the seeding and withering season. The plant gets a boost in flower development when the blooming flower heads get plugged regularly.

Seeding

The seeds will begin to develop and ripen during the blooming season. They form a shell over the central disk, causing the petals to wither and subsequently drop as they mature.

Withering

Within the withering season, the flower heads will lose their petals, revealing the shell of seeds. The plant will drop the leaves, and the flower stems will turn brownish. Right before the plant enters the dying stage, the seeds will loosen and distribute themselves with the help of the wind through the immediate area.

Passing Away

Ruddles flowers are annual plants that die down altogether at the end of the growing season. The withered and decayed plant parts drop to the ground and will eventually decay.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The flower buds can be harvested, processed, and dried. They can then be used for teas and compresses such as ruddles bandages to provide cooling for burn wounds or disinfection and healing support for infected wounds and internal infections.

Lifespan

annual (1 year)

Average Height

40 cm

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The flower buds typically feature orange and violet colorations.