Fireburst Succulent

The more exciting of the coastal succulents, this species was a much more recent find for the larger population of Levis. With a sharp spicy taste to its berries, it added a new source of life to much of the coastal cuisine, though even more recent troubles have made this vitality a potentially short lived thrill.

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

The fireburst is designed to be the prey of small coastal ailbacks, who eat large amounts of the fruit, tearing and crushing the parent plant to provide more room over time for the child plant to grow within ailback faeces. The capsaicin within the plant is designed to ward off small coastal birds, while the succulent nature while preserving water, also contains an enzyme that helps the fireburst heal quickly once it has been feasted on.

Its flowers are a dull grey, but seem to produce an aroma that its pollinators can sense from far off. They flower towards the end of Wildflower season, with their berries formed during the early dry season.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

With fruit that are spicy like the reader's chilli, tangy sweet like an apricot, the fireburst is one of the capsaicin producing plants within the region. Their pale fleshy leaves and stems are good for burns, and edible through cooking or fresh although incredibly bitter. Fresh fireburst leaves are toxic to humans, the toxin within burned off at temperatures over 110C.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Found in the coastal clays and sands south of the Digitos Mangroves, often upon the dunes, with deep sometimes 5m root bundles. They like areas of full sun, but the cold coastal winds are something they hide against.

Lifespan

5-10 years

Conservation Status

Due to a recent attack of root boring wasps in the area, transported by the migration of so many ethnic groups, the fireburst is featuring some ecological threat. Ecologists from Natare and Vertus have begun the process of root protection through symbiosis with a fungus the wasps do not like, though some at the Academy of Natare think that this is hampering the natural cycle of evolution and death

Average Height

1-5m, usually 1.5m

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Pale green plant flesh with an orange-red bead-like fruit. The fruit contains 1 to 3 even smaller seeds.