Inkwort

A creeping, drawf evergreen, with small, dense leaves and strongly-scented pink-purple flowers in the spring. A member of the mint family, it spreads rapidly via creeping stems, forming a mat of leaves that are resistant to foot traffic. It is, however, ill-advised to walk on the plants during early to mid spring, as the sap from crushing the flower buds can stain the skin, hair, and fabrics.
Growing throughout Ewura, inkwort thrives in thin, sandy soils, growing on moor and heathland, sandy riverbanks and roadsides, outcompeting many other types of wildflower. It is widely cultivated for ornamental and practical uses, with a number of specialised varieties being bred for both purposes.
Ornamental and industrial gardeners have bred the plant for varieies in flower colours - white, baby pink, sky blue, and magenta - which has enhanced its utility as a dye source.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

When the plant is crushed, the flower buds produce a thick, viscous sap that is the colour of the flower. Most commonly mixed with alcohol, this sap is a component in permanent dyes, which has a wide range of cosmetic and industrial applications. As it is nontoxic, inkwort has been used in hairdye, makeup, and tattoo ink since the Third Age, and was used to create the first banknotes and bearer bonds. Although since suprassed by other, synthetic inks, inkwort dyes, which are influenced the the colour of the flower, are still popular in artisinal inks and the concentrated sap is used to create high-quality alcohol-based paints.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Inkwort flowers in the late spring, attracting a variety of bees and butterflies. The leaves are grazed by several ungulates, including light goat and ibex, and bears have been seen eating the plant during the late summer, but it's unclear what benefit this gives.