Hochenblume
Colloquial Names: High flower, Yserabloom
Physical Description: While often referred to as ‘high,’ one need not look far from the ground to find the most aesthetically pleasing – and useful – part of this flower. It presents a rather curious structure, but it remains the single most prolific and alchemically-relevant bloom in the Dragon Isles. “High flower” is a direct translation of its Draconic moniker. “Yserabloom” is a term coined by the Maruuk centaur, in reference to the former Green dragon Aspect with whom they had connected; to them, its ability to grow across the land indicates the tenacity of life itself, and the way in which the blossom points back toward the earth is representative of the eternal cycle of birth, growth, death and rebirth to which all things are held.
Structurally, hochenblume possesses several notable adaptations which enable it to thrive in the myriad climes of the Isles. The plant’s roots are small in number, but great in thickness and strength; it is with these anchors that it holds itself fast to the varied terrain in which it grows, and they dig deeply to draw what nutrients and hydration the bloom requires. It is little surprise then that a thick, hardy stalk breaches the soil and holds itself quite tall – proud, even – to present two sets of long, narrow leaves, wing-like in structure, flaring outward on either side and cresting both skyward and back toward the earth.
Such a strong stem is required to hold a rather weighty seed-bearing pod; were it any weaker, it would surely snap under the pod’s weight. This cone is comprised of thick, fleshy “petals” of tissue, which house the glands that, upon pollination, produce seeds. This pod is quite moist and slightly sweet when chewed, compelling its consumption by herbivores and allowing the spread of the seeds it contains.
While mostly green, vivid violet and thistle hues can be found streaking through its flesh and adorning the tips of its leaves, and the bloom itself is so pleasantly purple it practically glows in direct light. The stamen are lengthy and indigo-hued, while the pistil is a rich amber color and, in a particularly healthy specimen, does in fact glow as it emits a gentle bioluminescence at night.
Harvesting: The flower in question is rather delicate, particularly when compared to the rest of the plant, and its subtle intricacies are worth exploring before one attempts to collect it. The seed pod and all parts of the flower, if pulled on directly, are wont to snap and tear; this is due to tension from the connective tissue directly at the base of the seed pod. There is but a single strand holding the pod in place which runs the entire length of the stalk, but is notably weaker than the stalk itself. A simple smooth and firm twisting motion will easily separate the entire structure; doing so releases the aforementioned tension and allows lossless gathering of any desired materials.
Usage: There is not one standard recipe of which I am aware that utilizes the herbs of the Dragon Isles without including hochenblume. The flower itself has an energizing quality, while the seed pod confers restorative benefits; together, they act as a catalyst and “force multiplier” of sorts for the more focused properties of other native plants. The sweetness and aroma of the pod and petals, can be extracted via usual methods. The pod conveys a grassy, citrus-like brightness. The petals offer a scent rather similar to lilac and, when dried, can be milled to produce a bright pigment for inks and dyes.
As I sat before a rather lush specimen to pen this entry, I found myself musing on its appearance. One may find it curious that so many winged things are born of these lands, and draw a connection to hochenblume’s structure; whether there is empirical truth in this I cannot say, but that is perhaps for the best. There is something magical in the mysteries of this world, and such wondering is itself a most potent catalyst for exploration and experimentation, both of which are worthy endeavors in which I encourage you to engage.