Cragtongue
Cragtongue is a wilder, hardier relative to the tasselhead squash and is also a rambling deciduous biennial vine, but less invasive. It derives its name from its preferred habitat of sheltered rocky crags and the shape of its fruit. Of particular interest as the market for luxury items grows are its seeds, known as spritepearl, that function as the in-world equivalent of cocoa beans.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Tough barbless vine with plentiful club-shaped, small to medium-sized leaves. Several vines may sprout from a single root system and have a rambling habit, ranging from five to fifteen feet.
Biological Traits
Orange and green-black variegated, club-shaped leaves sprout along entire length of vine. Flowers are between 2 and 4" and a wide cone-shape, and typically a subdued orange-red. Fruit are distinctive tongue-shaped, flattish, often twisted gourds of 5-7", with purple-gray bumpy skin and bright purple flesh. Seeds are 0.5" dark brown-black, pill-shaped, and located in a strip down the middle interior.
Ecology and Habitats
Prefers sheltered, rocky crags, but tolerant of varying degrees of moisture and sun.
Biological Cycle
Like its cousin, the first year of its life is spent building as much vine and leaf and winter hardiness as possible. From the second year onward, its fruit crop steadily increases until by the third or fourth year, it has reached maturity.
Additional Information
Domestication
Partly domesticated, but tends to be finnicky and hard to grow well enough for it to produce; suitable for an ornamental plant were it not for its short life.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Although all parts except the stem are edible, the leaves tend to be fibrous and bitter. The fruit has a mild, somewhat sweet taste and is sometimes used in the same manner as a sweet potato, but of main interest are the seeds -- known as spritepearl -- when dried and ground, the powder can be added to fats or other substances for the in-world equivalent taste of chocolate. It is an essential ingredient of authentic hejulal mikahb, for example.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Civilization and Culture
Common Myths and Legends
The term 'spritepearl' comes from the Ustrarian folk story that some sprites contain a precious jewel under or inside their tongue that functions as their 'soul', and in some variations is the only way to kill or indenture them. The less fanciful interpretation of the tale is as a cautionary allegory: that one's words can run away from you and continue to have an impact long after you yourself are gone (referring to the speculated purpose/origin of sprites).
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