Starbell

Starbells are a type of food crop native to Planet Evermorn.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Starbells are herbaceous perrenial plants that superficially resemble hops, but are proportionally more robust in all respects. The flowers of the plant are squat, droplet-shaped cones that can reach a foot in length at maturity. These cones start as small, dark pinkish-purple buds, but grow, soften, and turn a pale blue as they ripen. The leaves of the cones are thick and fleshy enough that the plants are sometimes mistaken for succulents.
While it is a common misconception that starbells are named for their frequent association with the space-faring Evermornan peoples, the actual etymology of 'starbell' comes from the fact that the cones feature five-fold blossoms stacked in spiralling tiers, creating the appearance of a star when one tier is separated from the rest (i.e. during preparation for cooking).

Genetics and Reproduction

Starbells, like their distant hop relatives, are dioecious, meaning that each plant is either male or female. The cones of starbells are actually their flowers.

Ecology and Habitats

Starbells are surprisingly resistant to wide swings in temperatures, including droughts, heat waves, and frosts. This adaptability is due both to the water storage capacity of their leaves and flowers and due to the fact that they produce a variety of freeze-resistant biologial compounds in their cells. Because Evermorn is a cold, damp world, the starbell was forced to develop cold resistance strategies independently from its coniferous counterparts.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Starbell is a common cultivar on Evermorn. Starbell cones are culturally important to the Evermornan peoples. Aside from serving as a cultural symbol of endurance, starbell cones are popular components of sweet and sour dishes in Evermornan cuisine.
Starbell cones are said to taste like sour raspberries that become significantly more mild as they ripen on the vine. The cones can be eaten whole and raw, but they can also be cooked, mashed, or mulled for various dishes. Starbell viniagrette is a popular condiment, and slices of the soft cones can be incorporated into salads, fruit cocktails, and deserts. The spacer's delight is a cocktail that uses pulpy starbell liqueur as a color and flavor element. Due to their sugar content, starbell cone mash can be directly fermented into a spirit in its own right rather than having to be infused into another spirit to make such liqueurs.

Geographic Distribution

• Planet Evermorn

Related Ethnicities

• Evermornan