Devil’s Nail Cactus

This cactus grows in the Eastern Bahariya mountains and is also occasionally found in rocky areas of the desert. It is covered in long, hooked spikes which resemble talons or curved finger nails and has beautiful crimson flowers.
According to legend the plant blooms for one night every year, its petals opening as the full Flower Moon rises in the sky. It is said that if someone manages to pick one of the flowers without being pricked by its vicious thorns, their true love will be revealed to them in a dream.
However, should they be injured by the plant then it will be nourished by their blood. The unfortunate victim will be plagued by hallucinations, fever, fainting and eventually death, earning the cactus its alternative name of Maiden’s Lament.
Herbalists of the Mountain Lion tribe collect the flower petals and use them to brew a tea which causes vivid visions when consumed.