Bijeasia (Bih-JAY-see-uh)
Bijeasia is a common biennial, evergreen, woody vine with a rambling/creeping rather than climbing habit, but that can also be trained to upright growth. Its evergreen foliage consists of toothed and ridged, arrow-shaped leaves that begin as bright green and darken to a russet-orange. It has no flowers, instead reproducing when stems touch the ground and root as well as underground runners. If unchecked it can be invasive or smother other plants.
It is related distantly to eshmalda.
Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
Underground runners, stem-rooting aboveground.
Growth Rate & Stages
It has a thorning season toward the end of the Season of Opening that lasts until mid- Season of Ripening to protect its rooting process; by the end of the Season of Ripening the thorns have withdrawn.
Ecology and Habitats
Generally a resilient species, but its preference is an arid climate with well-drained soil. Rocky terrain is also preferred for adequate rambling, but other plants or structures can be substituted.
Additional Information
Domestication
Small crops of bijeasia affiliated with the Order of the Burning Crown exist to both lend a ceremonial air to its cultivation and harvesting and better-facilitate processing into the rope used in their ceremonies. Natural, in-the-wild harvesting remains acceptable, but runs the risk of inadequate or inconsistent crops.
These same farms often also produce the waking oil used by Shepherds of Leaving.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
It is notable for its ceremonial uses:
In Burning Crown ceremonies, ropes of dried and woven bijeasia are placed in the Burning Crown emblem carved into the chapel floor and burnt, representing Xados; gathering these ashes and scattering them then represents Ieb. Additionally, the growing and harvesting of these vines (in themselves representative of Iasis) is deliberately done at a location separate to any church by a member of the priesthood to represent the church's connection with the world outside its walls. As a result, Crownists will sometimes call the vine "holy bijeasia".
Meanwhile, the waking oil used by the House of Leavings Shepherds to facilitate their connection to the Ega when releasing a soul in a Basin is made from bijeasia leaves.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Geographic Distribution
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