_  _     _                _
   | || |___| |_ ___ _ _ __ _(_)_ _ _  _
   | __ / -_| '_| _ ) '_/ _` | | '_| || |
   |_||_\___|_| |___/_| \__,_|_|_|  \_,_|
        

The Herbarium

A Field Guide to Real and Imaginary Plants

Goldentear

Magia herbaceum

Crystallaceae (the Crystal family)

    .  *  .
      \|/
   . --*-- .
      /|     / |     /  |     .   |   .
  /    |     .  \  |  /  .
     \|//
      |
     .|.
    /_|_        

Description

An ephemeral annual appearing only during specific astronomical events. Needle-like foliage arranged in spirals along the stem.

Fragrant flowers release their scent only under specific conditions, colored frost blue. Blooms in the presence of kindness.

Habitat

Grows in the shadow of libraries and places where books are kept.

Traditional Uses

The sap was used to make a temporary ink that fades over weeks.

Folklore

Believed to mark the boundaries between the seen and unseen worlds.

Similar Species

Resembles Serpentmoss.

Conservation

Locally common but declining in some parts of its range.

Field Notes

Sometimes forms fairy rings in undisturbed locations.