Black Wormeye
Basic Information
Anatomy
Black Wormeye is a medium sized leafy shrub with broad, dark green leaves. In the wet season, the plant will grow clusters of small, bright yellow flowers to be pollinated. These will later grow into slightly elongated berries later in the year that have black tips at the bottom, which appear to look like maggots from the side, or eyes from head on.
Biological Traits
Although the leaves and roots of the Black Wormeye are edible, the berries are incredibly toxic and bitter, causing diarrhea, incredibly painful stomach cramps, dehydration, and in high doses, hallucinations. The toxins affect mammals, reptiles, and insects particularly hard, while birds have much lessened symptoms.
Genetics and Reproduction
The main way this plant reproduces is through spreading its seeds by digestion after they have been eaten by birds. It is thought that the plant's berries evolved to look similarly to maggots in order to attract birds to eat them. Although the berries cause uncontrolled diarrhea in mammals and reptiles to the point it can cause death, birds often only get a minor case, easing the spread of seeds.
Ecology and Habitats
Black Wormeye is only found in the Pacific Islands favoring rich, tropical environments. It grows in well drained soil and in areas with incredibly high humidity and bright but partial sunlight, making it difficult to cultivate in captivity outside of its native range. Most often it is found in the underbrush of jungles and rainforests, growing under large trees and ferns.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Despite the rest of the plant being edible with no ill effects, the plant is not cultivated for food. Instead, it is directly grown for the berries' toxicity, particularly in the Republic of Shanai. The berries of the plant, when ground into a paste, make a thick, creamy, pale yellow paste that is used by Fire God Vega and his children for their divine paint. The toxicity of the berry paste is used as a deterrent to predators and dragons due to its ill effects and terrible taste.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
The shrub has a symbiotic relationship with the many species of tropical birds in the Pacific, relying on them to eat its berries and spread its seeds around. It can be found across many island chains thanks to migration by these birds, almost exactly growing along their seasonal migratory routes.
Conservation Status
Least Concern / Captively Bred
Average Height
3 to 7 feet
Average Length
2 to 4 feet
Geographic Distribution
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