Landgrass

Landgrass is not a grass at all, and is actually a shrub. It has countless varieties, but they all fall into one of two categories: landgrass with magic infused DNA, and organic landgrass. Magic landgrass is rare and its effects are unpredictable, but it is useful to certain types of magic user as an ingredient to a spell or potion, or for the raw magic within the plant. Organic landgrass is common, and it has a variety of uses. It is a hardy plant that is easy to grow, and people around the world grow landgrass, sometimes just a few plants, and some people have industrial scale landgrass farms. In climates from temperate to tropical landgrass can be found growing wild.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Landgrass is a shrub that typically grows to about a meter in height and a meter in diameter. Some varieties are smaller, and others can be up to twice that size. From the roots, each plant has three central stalks with numerous branches sprouting from each stalk. Female plants have medium sized flowers that are usually blue or purple, and male plants have small orange or red flowers.

Genetics and Reproduction

Landgrass relies on pollen to reproduce, and flowers for a few weeks in the summer. Females grow their seeds in pods that can contain 50 or more seeds. The pods become brittle and fall from the plant when the seeds' development is complete.

Ecology and Habitats

Landgrass grows in warm climates with at least moderate rainfall.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The effects of smoking any part of a magical landgrass plant is wildly unpredictable and almost always detrimental. Practitioners of Alchemagic use it as an ingredient in a variety of spells, potions, and enhancements. Shaman and Druids use it to empower spells, particularly nature and healing spells. Some other magic users can extract the raw magic from the plant. Organic landgrass has more uses, and is not just for magic users. In the past, the central stalks were pounded to extract the long fibers, and those were woven into fabric and ropes; in places with limited access to technology, landgrass rope and fabric is still used. When dried, many parts of the plant can be smoked; different parts of the plant have different effects when smoked. Young leaves produce a calming effect that increases focus with a little bit of euphoria when smoked. Mature leaves have a dissociative and mild hallucinatory effect. The seeds are have a strong stimulant effect when smoked, eaten, or otherwise ingested. The roots are often used as a sleep aid, and can be smoked or eaten.