Herbarium Kuslikum
“Nobody knows which immortal being willed the rainforest disdychonda into being, but it remains the most frightening example of a plant that feeds on flesh. When flowering, the plant produces a garlanded violet bloom supported on a brown stalk about 7 inches thick. Despite its size, the disdychonda is well camouflaged and blends easily into its surroundings. The danger lies in its four giant, dark green leaves, which sprout from the plant’s base near the ground. When a living being touches a leaf, they wrap around their victim, constricting it as nettles on the leaves’ surface inject an insidious poison.”
The Herbarium Kuslikum is an extensive treatise on Aventurian flora that was first published by the Kuslikan temple of Hesinde in 1005 FB. It comprises nine entertaining and informative volumes, each with 200 profusely-illustrated pages and a wealth of references, and is considered invaluable to anyone interested in plant lore. Around 700 complete sets are known to exist. The original manuscripts are stored in the Halls of Wisdom, in Kuslik, where the temple’s Blessed Ones work diligently to issue corrections and expansions.
“A masterwork! Every plant is illustrated, and some scholars keep pressed and wonderfully preserved specimens between its pages. With this book, even a layman can identify many plants with ease.”
— Brother Hilbert of Auen, Blessed One of Peraine
“I once held a copy of the Herbarium in my hands. The artist’s illustrations were so life-like that I could almost smell the flowers.”
— Rowena of the Transweal, Bornish cat witch
“Plants are important. Mushrooms especially so. But, please, don’t mention Wirsel herb. No Angroshim can tolerate this stinking elf weed.”
— Arbosh son of Angrax, forge dwarf master smith
“Um, I don’t mean to interrupt you, but the science of Botany has determined that mushrooms aren’t plants…”
— Mirhiban al’Orhima, Tulamydian fire mage
“As I was saying, Wirsel herb grows where you don’t want it to.”
— Arbosh son of Angrax, forge dwarf master smith
“And Wirsel herb isn’t an elf plant. We didn’t bring it into being. Its healing properties benefit everyone, so why do you dwarves dislike it?”
— Layariel Treetopglint, elven wyldrunner
“Because of its smell. Wirsel herb smells disgusting.”
— Arbosh son of Angrax, forge dwarf master smith