Compendium: Common Herbs, Plants, and other Flora (Ferelden)

All of the following are excerpts taken from The Botanical Compendium, by Orlesian Circle mage and scholar Ines Arancia.

Common Greenery

Blood Lotus

Quick reference: Hallucinatory effects, healing

"Often found residing in wet and rock cliff lands, blood lotus is easily recognizable due to its reed-like body and red berries. The berries themselves are soft and pop quite easily, but inside they contain a very sweet juice that resides in one's mouth for hours over. It's often found in sweets made for young children and sugary alcoholic refreshments.
If the gossip from Val Royeaux is to believed, a chamberlain once convinced his gardner to plant him four hundred blood lotus plants for a future party. The party was considered a roaring success, even though the evening concluded with at least twelve guests asleep on the lawn, three in the pool, and one lady losing several teeth trying to take a bit out of a marble statue (which she was convinced was made of cake)."

Brecilian Blessing

Quick reference: Lyrium potions, regeneration tonics

"Brecilian Blessing is a useful vine that is notoriously difficult to cultivate, as if it had a mind of its own. The wind often carries its miniscule seeds for great distances from the parent plant. It is hard to say what causes the seeds to sprout once they land. However, it has long been believed that comfort and abundance follow where brecilian blessing goes. Perhaps the vine only chooses conditions that promote rich harvests from domesticated flora. Therefore, see brecilian blessing in spring, and you shall not grow hungry in winter."

Death Root

Quick reference: Poisons, Lyrium potions

"Deathroot has been used in magic and potion making for centuries over. It's a fragile looking plant with a thin stalk and purple flowers, which fruits once a year developing bright red flashy pods that cause disorientation and dizziness if ingested.
There are two varieties. The more common Arcanist Deathroot was first found by First Enchanter Hadrianus when he discovered it growing on several dead elves. The other, Lunatic's Deathroot, is most closely associated with the story of the courtesan Melusine, who sought revenge on a powerful Orlesian Enchanter and his family. She harvested the plant, baked it into small pies for the Enchanter's banquet, and presented them to the Enchanter at a banquet. All the guests were seized by terrifying hallucinations after eating the pies and tore each other to pieces.'

Deep Mushroom

Quick reference: Throwable tonics (fire), poisons

"'Deep mushroom' refers to the entire group of fungi that grows underground in caves and subterranean environments. Collection can be a dangerous task, as their locations are often infested with dangerous creatures the likes of which few botanists would want to face. The simplest way to acquire some is to find surface dwarves who brought some up from the Deep Roads.
The most common varietals are poisonous. Thus, it is advised that one deep mushrooms should only be handled by experienced herbalists and should never be consumed without first being adequately cleaned and prepared. Careless consumption has been known to cause insanity, severe abdominal cramping, and even death.
As an aside, they are also quite flammable."

Elf Root

Quick reference: Healing, curing/slowing minor diseases

"Elfroot is a curative herb that was first introduced to the masses of Thedas by Dalish escaped slaves during the First Exalted March Hence the name. The root gave their medicines particular efficacy, so it can only be imagined that when the Tevinter magistrates took over Elvhenan that they too popularized it in their own nation.
Elf root is a hardy plant with large green leaves that grows wild in many places. It's so common that it tends to show up in most gardens and fields. Unlike a weed, however, most people appreciate having access to the wonderful little plant. The roots can be chewed on to help numb pain, treat simple maladies like indigestion, and cure minor mental ailments such as headaches."

Embrium

Quick reference: Medicine (internal organ failure), Strength altering tonics

"Embriums are flowers from the orchid family. Its therapeutic qualities were actually discovered because of the embrium's exceptional beauty.
The beloved daughter of Lord Ignace Poulenc of Orlais fell victim to a terrible sickness of the lungs, which her healers were unable to cure. Thinking the girl would soon perish, her parents surrounded her bed with brightly colored flowers, hoping that they would bring some warmth and cheer in her last days. Oddly enough, the girl began to recover from the illness, and grew stronger each day. Her parents were baffled, but overjoyed. The healers eventually learned that the fragrance of one of the flowers eased the child's breathing. The flower was an embrium, and later became known as the Salubrious Embrium."

Rashvine

Quick reference: Throwables, salves, poisons

"Be wary when harvesting rashvine because the plant comes by its name honestly. Indeed, calling its effect upon exposed skin a "rash" is an understatement. I've known apprentices who went without treating the red sores, assuming them irritating but harmless, and eventually required either magical healing or amputation.
Once the poison gets into the blood, it causes a painful calcification that turns the surface skin stone grey... and that's only the first symptom. In addition, it's primarily found in marshes and remote areas of deep vegetation, so there is often danger in finding rashvine patches, even aside from that in collecting it.
Fortunately (or unfortunately, if one happens to be a witless apprentice), rashvine has a number of useful applications: salves that harden the skin or otherwise provide protection, not to mention being one of the primary ingredients for Antivan Fire. My advice? Use thick gloves and carry a sword."

Spindleweed

Quick reference: Minor healing, resistance to elements

"Spindleweed is often found growing near bodies of water. Interestingly, that's really all it requires. It is a tough plant that resist the toughest of heats or coldest of winters and it lives on just fine.
It is used in a well-known folk remedy crafted to help heal the infirm. Having large amounts growing near a house will often bring neighbors offering sympathy and aid without provocation, as it's often a sign that someone in the house is fatally ill."