Archive:Igniferculla vulgara
| Igniferculla vulgara | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Tracheophytes |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Astereae |
| Genus: | Igniferculla |
| Species: | I. vulgara |
| Binomial name | |
| Igniferculla vulgara | |
Igniferculla vulgara (Fireflower, Common Fireflower; Yaharan: Template:Feyandya /ˈs͢ʃɛɪ̯t͡ʃu(ʊ̯)/) is a Lower Borosan species of the family Asteraceae, and considered the archetypical member of its genus, Igniferculla. It is native to the Yahara, and is commonly grown as an ornamental and as a culinary herb.
Etymology
The binomial for the common fireflower is derived from the Latin ignifer, which means "bringer of fire", referring to the spicy heat of the leaves and the milk of the stem, -culla, the feminine diminuative, and vulgara, meaning "common". The Yaharan name Template:Feyandya is likely derived from Proto-Yaharan *stʔiħr̩ "burn" and *ħasqjo "blossom, flower, radiance".
Description
The fireflower is a perennial herbaceous plant that spreads by means of underground rhizomes. It grows up to 72 centimeters in height, with simple, alternating leaves which vary from having an elliptic to obtuse shape. The leaf edges are gently serrated, and the leaf as a whole has longitudinal venation. These can grow up to 10 centimeters long and 6 centimeters wide at the base of the stem, gradually decreasing in size going up the stem.
The stem of the fireflower produces a white, milky latex known as Template:Feyandya that contains pyrofloratoxin, a functional analogue to capsaicin, the chemical which produces the heat in peppers. This latex is also present in the leaves, and is pumped through them mixed with the plant's sap.
The stems generally produce one flower head each. These flower heads have some thirty to sixty ray florets surrounding many disc florets. They bloom starting in late spring and will remain in bloom generally through late fall. The pappus is shorter than those of the Aster and consists of bristles very similar to those of Erigeron. The flowers themselves will secrete yadyavyauthar, creating a milky ring at the edge of the florets, and the milky latex infuses the involucre as well.
Cultivation
Uses
The fireflower is a staple seasoning in all western Fals cuisine, and sees uses in a wide variety of dishes, as a herb in such things as stews, marinades, most famously perhaps in Finnic drenched meat, and even in some beverages. It is less common in the Fals Empire. Historically, outside of the populations of Lower Boroso, the fireflower has been known to the Aktari fals living as far north as the Isthmus of Katar for at least 3000 years as well, near the northernmost extent of the plant's natural distribution. The fireflower was cultivated by the Aktari as a medicinal, culinary, and ornamental plant, and remains an important ingredient in Aktari cuisine herbalism to this day. As Upper Borosan populations migrated into the area it began to see widespread usage, eventually being introduced to the Fáknirs and other Fals settlers of the region around 700AD. Fáknirs adopted extensive use of the fireflower (Fáknir kohas, from Aktari gćaϩáz /g͡ɣɑˈʕaz/), especially as they migrated south and the cultivation of piquant spices became increasingly difficult.
In culture
The fireflower's leaf is a common symbol in Aktari symbolism and art, and is featured on the flag of the Aktari people.