Encyclopedia Botanica

A lore blog dedicated to cataloging and describing the flora of Azeroth, Argus, Outland, and Draenor in World of Warcraft. Main blog @Warcraft-Lore-Archives

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Azerothian Botany - Retchweed

Of the countless plant species native to Zandalar, retchweed is one of the most common by far. Found throughout Zuldazar and parts of southern Nazmir, this plant is well known for its use as an emetic among the local trolls. Retchweed is traditionally given to Zandalari children who have swallowed a harmful or poisonous substance in order to induce vomiting, hence the name “retchweed”. Despite its curative properties, however, the green plant can be lethal. When dried, powdered, and combined with riverbud root, it becomes a poison deadly to even the hardiest of heroes [Shadows Rising, pg. 23-24, 248 (hardcover edition)].

Retchweed poison is fast-acting and incredibly painful. Within moments of being ingested, it causes rapid desiccation of the body, followed by death [Shadows Rising, pg. 23-24, 248 (hardcover edition)].

As common as retchweed is, one might be surprised to find that its poisonous qualities are a relatively new discovery. Apari, Yazma’s daughter and Queen Talanji’s former friend, created the poison just within the last year [Shadows Rising, pg. 24 (hardcover edition)].

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Azerothian Botany - Adrima’s Lily

As with many things in the Shadowlands, Adrima’s lilies rely on ambient anima in the environment to survive. Though this plant appears delicate at first glance, its ability to extract and survive off untapped anima deep in the ground makes it remarkably resilient and, consequently, a highly valuable source of anima amid the ongoing drought [Quest: The Cycle of Anima: Adrima’s Lily]. With little else to safely glean the lifegiving substance from these days, the Kyrian have taken to harvesting Adrima’s lilies to supplement their anima stores. Many stewards also collect the flower, though it is more for their fragrance and beauty than any apparent usefulness [Quest: The Cycle of Anima: Flower Power].

It may be worth pointing out that Adrima’s lilies share many similarities with aethril, a plant endemic to Azeroth. Both species are notable for drawing magical substances from their environment for nutrients, though aethril subsists on ley energy rather than anima [Quest: Aethril Sample]. The flowers differ in how they store magic, however. Aethril’s reproductive filaments typically contain more magical energy than the rest of the plant, whereas much of the anima taken in by the lily is stored in its bulb [Quest: Spayed by the Spade, Quest: The Cycle of Anima: Flower Power].

While this flower appears to be named for someone called “Adrima,” none of the local Kyrian or stewards seem to know who they are [Quest: The Cycle of Anima: Flower Power].

The scent of dried Adrima’s lilies is known to enhance mindfulness [Item: Adrima’s Potpourri].

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Azerothian Botany - Emerald Shimmercap

Given that emerald shimmercaps grow in Felwood, it is little surprise that the average passerby mistakes their bright green hue for demonic corruption. In truth, their color has nothing to do with fel magic. These mushrooms get their distinctive appearance – and likely their name – from their connection to the Emerald Dream [Quest: A Slimy Situation].

In stark contrast to much of Felwood’s native flora, this species of fungi remains untainted by demonic forces in the region. While one may infer it is their tie to the Dream that prevents these mushrooms from succumbing to fel influence, the full explanation is a bit more nuanced – emerald shimmercaps have the unique ability to purify corruption [Quest: A Slimy Situation].  

It makes sense, then, why many of these mushrooms are typically found near pools of fel-tainted water [Quest: A Slimy Situation]. By cleansing water sources in the region, this species of fungi could very well aid in stemming the spread of demonic corruption throughout northern Kalimdor.

Due to their magical nature, emerald shimmercaps are also highly effective at treating infections demonic in origin. When an undead single-handedly transformed the denizens of an outpost into fel slimes, one dryad made a paste from the mushroom that prevented a tauren from mutating along with them [Quest: A Slimy Situation, Quest: The Tainted Ooze].

Because of the Cenarion Circle’s efforts to heal Felwood, it is unclear if this species of fungi was planted deliberately or if it is endemic to the region.

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Azerothian Botany - Spideroot

Spideroot contains a sour-tasting liquid known for its natural weedkilling properties [Item: Spideroot]. Because it happens to be good for most plants except for weeds, some Pandaren farmers in the Heartland have taken to using spideroot to remove any unwanted plants from their crops [Quest: Growing the Farm I: A Little Problem].

Spider mites are commonly found on spideroot, which may be how the plant came by its name [Quest: Growing the Farm I: A Little Problem].

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Azerothian Botany - Culex Tree

Of Ardenweald’s countless plant species, the culex tree is one of the most highly prized. Found near the Banks of Life on the northern edge of the realm, this tree is easily distinguishable by its pale green leaves [Quest: Gifts of the Forest]. It is the wood, however, wherein the tree’s true value lies [Item: Culexwood Branch].

Culexwood, which is remarkably soft and light, is coveted by the night fae for its many practical applications [Item: Culexwood Branch]. In most cases, it is usually carved into musical instruments or weapons [Item: Culexwood Longbow, Item: Culexwood Dagger, Item: Culexwood Knife]. Musical instruments made from culexwood are considered some of the finest, so much so that they are even offered as prizes in contests of skill and creativity among musicians [Item: Culexwood Pan Flute]. Culexwood is also an integral component of specially made totems used to relocate gormlings. However, it is worth noting the tree must give of its wood willingly for the totem to work [Quest: Gifts of the Forest].

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Azerothian Botany - Sanguine Hibiscus

The Underbog is home to a plethora of unique plant species that do not grow naturally anywhere else on Outland [NPC: T’shu Dialogue, Quest: Bring Me A Shrubbery!]. The most popular – and perhaps most common – of these is a bright red flower known as sanguine hibiscus [Quest: Bring Me A Shrubbery!].

Sporelings native to Zangarmarsh reportedly use sanguine hibiscus for a number of purposes, though what those uses could be that they value adventurers who provide them with large quantities of the plant so highly is unclear [Quest: Bring Me A Shrubbery!].

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Azerothian Botany - Midnight Rose

The Venthyr’s love of gaudy ornamentation makes it no surprise that they cultivate a variety of beautiful flowers. Of these, one of the most popular seems to be the midnight rose, a lilac-colored bloom commonly seen all over Revendreth [NPC: Lord Silviu Dialogue]. This flower is more than just pretty decoration, however; midnight roses enable the Venthyr to move through the shadows quicker than normal [Buff: Midnight Rose]. That said, exactly how such an effect is achieved – whether via smell, ingestion, or some other means – is unclear.

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Azerothian Botany - Rotberry

Though the Plaguelands’ native flora has started to regrow in thanks to the combined efforts of the Cenarion Circle and the Argent Crusade, much of the region’s wildlife still suffers from the plague’s influence today [Quest: Zen’kiki, the Druid, Quest: Postponing the Inevitable]. The Plaguewood, located just outside Stratholme, is home to all sorts of blighted vegetation, including a bright red fruit inauspiciously known as the rotberry. While many species of wild berries found on Azeroth are edible, it is probably safe to assume that rotberries are not fit for human consumption [Item: Rotberry].    

A Forsaken apothecary once experimented with rotberries – among several other reagents – in search of a counter-plague agent, though it is unclear if he ever succeeded [Quest: Counter-Plague Research].

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Azerothian Botany - Dreadshade (Shadowlands)

Dreadshade is a species of lasher known for producing an extract that has highly versatile, albeit potentially deadly, properties [Item: Dreadshade Extract]. Maldraxxi alchemists of the House of Plagues cultivate the plant to use as a reagent in some of their concoctions, many of which are no doubt extremely toxic. That said, dreadshade has other known practical applications. For example, one of the house’s foremost plague devisers planned to use dreadshade extract in a potion that would effectively “preserve” the imbiber [Quest: Plague is Thicker Than Water, Quest: By Any Other Name].

Dreadshade is said to be the carrier of Solanum cerinthe [Quest: By Any Other Name]. What this is, however, is unclear, though the name suggests it is the scientific name for a plant or fruit.  

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Azerothian Botany - Olemba Tree

One of the most common plant species found on Outland today is the olemba tree, a conifer that dominates much of Terokkar Forest’s ecosystem [Item: Greatmother’s List of Herbs].

The olemba tree stores its seeds in tough, fist-sized cones that, once they reach maturity, fall from the branches of the tree [Quest: Olemba Seeds, Item: Olemba Seed]. The seeds themselves are exceptionally oily and can be pressed into a high-quality mana oil [Quest: And Now, the Moment of Truth].

Hapless adventurers were once tricked by Greatmother Geyah into believing that olemba tree roots were a key ingredient in an elixir that would allow them to see and commune with the spirits of the dead [Quest: Material Components]. As it turns out, however, the potion was merely a test of the adventurers’ dedication and actually had no real effects whatsoever [Quest: To Meet Mother Kashur].

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Azerothian Botany - Burstcap Mushroom

Widely considered one of the most dangerous regions in all of Outland, Zangarmarsh is home to a diverse range of plant life. Though beautiful, much of the fungal swamp’s flora is quite deadly [Illidan, Chapter Three]. One particularly virulent type of fungi native to Zangarmarsh is the burstcap mushroom, which predominantly grows in the western part of the region. True to its name, the burstcap is extremely sensitive and can release a toxic cloud of spores if handled improperly [Quest: Burstcap Mushrooms, Mon!, Item: Burstcap Mushroom].

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Azerothian Botany - Flower of Luck

Some plant species only bloom during the Lunar Festival, a two-week-long celebration commemorating the Burning Legion’s defeat during the War of the Ancients 10,000 years ago [Page: Lunar Festival, Quest: Elune’s Blessing, Quest: Crown of Good Fortune]. According to popular belief, each of the short-lived flowers has a special connection to the moon goddess, Elune [Quest: Crown of Dark Blossoms]. One of them, the flower of luck, is even thought to be a favorite of hers [Quest: Crown of Good Fortune].

Though it only blooms for a brief time, the flower of luck normally grows in southern Dun Morogh [Quest: Crown of Good Fortune].

Lunar Festival celebrants traditionally weave the flower of luck and other blossoms into flower crowns to wear during the holiday [Quest: Crown of Good Fortune, Item: Crown of Everlasting Fortune].

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Azerothian Botany - Rot Blossom

As a plant that thrives on dead things, it is little surprise that rot blossoms are typically found in cemeteries all over Duskwood. True to their name, these flowers most commonly grow atop the graves of the fallen, though they have been known to sprout inside decomposing bodies from time to time [Quest: Gather Rot Blossoms].

Rot blossoms can be distilled into a potent liquor called zombie juice, which is said to be strong enough to raise the dead [Quest: Gather Rot Blossoms, Quest: Juice Delivery]. Whether or not that is merely a metaphor for the strength of the drink, it is heavily implied a necromancer once used zombie juice to animate an abomination [Quest: Zombie Juice, Quest: Juice Delivery].

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Azerothian Botany - Frostberry Bush

Contrary to popular belief, most wild berries native to Azeroth are perfectly safe to eat. The frostberry bush that grows in Coldarra, for example, produces an edible fruit that Kirin Tor mages in the area harvested for sustenance when their own food stores were depleted during the Nexus War [Quest: Nuts for Berries, Item: Frostberries]. In addition to eating the frostberries raw, the mages also sometimes pressed them into juice [Item: Frostberry Juice].

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Azerothian Botany - Morning Glory Vine

Untouched by most anything except for nature in thousands of years, the greater Suramar region is home to a variety of different plant species that have grown unchecked. As such, the local flora has reclaimed many elven ruins in the area that were abandoned during the War of the Ancients. One of the most common plants seen in Suramar today is the morning glory vine, a type of weed typically found growing throughout many of the region’s ancient structures [Item: Morning Glory Vine].

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Azerothian Botany - Telaari Frond

Telaari fronds are a rather nondescript plant that grow near water in central-eastern Nagrand [Item: Greatmother’s List of Herbs].

Hapless adventurers were once tricked by Greatmother Geyah into believing that telaari fronds were a key ingredient in an elixir that would allow them to see and commune with the spirits of the dead [Quest: Material Components]. As it turns out, however, the potion was merely a test of the adventurers’ dedication and actually had no real effects whatsoever [Quest: To Meet Mother Kashur].

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Azerothian Botany - Bloodberry

The bloodberry bush is a wild plant that grows all over Azeroth. Although it is usually considered something of a nuisance wherever it sprouts, the bush’s berries are coveted by both chefs and alchemists [Quest: Open for Business]. Most commonly, chefs use bloodberries as a key ingredient in some culinary delicacies, the most famous of which is the bloodberry tart [Item: Bloodberry Tart, World of Warcraft: The Official Cookbook, pg. 149]. Alchemists, however, like to use bloodberries – specifically, a unique type of bloodberry native to the Isle of Quel’Danas – for another reason. When exposed to the energies of the Sunwell, the plant develops special properties that can then be distilled and made into an elixir that magnifies one’s abilities [Quest: Open for Business, Item: Bloodberry Elixir].