Drybrush

Introduction

Drybrush is a common weed found across Ashlend and Westlend. Too thorny for most herbivores to eat and resistant to high and low temperatures, drybrush would be an unavoidable plague on the landscape if it were not for its extreme flammability. Unfortunately, this same trait has also made cultivating the plant extremely difficult. Entire settlements have been lost in drybrush flash fires.

Description

Standing at 3 feet tall at full growth, drybrush is a spindly type of grass with a dull brown color. With little nutrient needs, several of the plants can grow in such close proximity that it can appear to be one large, bush-like structure of thorns. If left untouched for long enough, patches can grow to cover several yards of soil which smothers out most other flora.

Propogation

The thorns of the drybrush plant are actually its seeds. When ignited while still being rooted, the thorns are quickly launched from the plant when the extreme heat reaches the chemical compounds gathered at the base of the seeds. These seeds are not launched hard enough to do much harm to any nearby creatures but their tendency to be on fire during the launch can be destructive.

General Information

Geographic Distribution

• Ashlend
• Westlend

Dubious Medicine

Yiptin tradition states that the sap of the drybrush plant has several medical uses and is often sold in small tinctures. The medical community does not believe the plant to have any true medicinal value. When questioned on it, the seller will likely ask, "Have you ever seen a Yiptin with a blister?" and refuse to elaborate any further.