Lore:The Flora of Aveum, vol. 3 (journal)

Volume 3: Flora of Kalthus

The humble accounts of an ecologist and hound, and the flora we've discovered during our travels.

Whitebark Pine

When most travelers first set foot in Kalthus, their attention is wholly focused on the gleaming pinnacles of the mountains. These noble peaks spear high into the sky, and compete with the Pentacade for control of the panorama. My gaze, however, was focused on the gorgeously sculpted pines that cling stubbornly to the cliffs. This is the highest-growing pine I've come across in Aveum and its beautiful white bark and bundles of pale yellow-green needles match the snowy landscape quite well. The Kalth harvest the seeds of these cones, roast them and turn them into a fine porridge. My hound greatly enjoys the twisted branches, and often trots over to me with one for a game of tug.

Reindeer Lichen

This silvery green lichen is found spread across all regions of Kalthus in little antlered herds. It is a very interesting species with a unique form of reproduction, wherein it clones itself by breaking apart and allowing the wind spirits to blow it to new areas. In fact I'm told this species originated in the dry sand dunes of Oremen, but in the cataclysm were blown all the way to this mountain range.

Canary Thistle

Among the gleaming snow I find clusters of these thistles stubbornly bursting through the crust, a shock of green, lobed leaves against the white. They have purple-tinted white flowers which are ringed and by spines, like most of the plant. My hound wisely gives it a wide berth after an unfortunate incident (she is quite fit now). I'm told that this species has anti-inflammatory properties and is used quite often by Kalthusian medics.