Puff Rod

About

Common Names: Puff Rod
Classification: Succulent, Cactus
Description: A tall tubular cactus found throughout the Waejiran Desert. The long needles of this plant trigger the release of a spore jet when bent. Any animal inhaling these spores will undergo a cascading wave of adrenaline release giving them extreme energy, and the overwhelming desire to run erratically. As the victim runs they inhale the spores deeper into their lungs where they take root, and rapidly spread causing respiratory failure. The victim will eventually drop dead from exhaustion or suffocation. The deeply rooted spores rapidly grow to produce a new cacti sprouting out of the fresh corpse. New young cacti do not produce spores and can be safely handled. Puff Rods contain a powerful hypnotic substance useful for treating many sleep disorders.

Rarity: rare
Distribution: Waejiran Desert
Life Cycle: Mature puff rods depend on animals to trigger release of spores which infest the animal. The animal will run until exhausted, suffocate and die, allowing the spores to fully root and produce new plants growing from the corpse.

Cultivation: Puff Rod is one of several dangerous plants specifically propagated along the forest wall between Waejir and Quzonia.
Culinary: none
Medicinal: hypnotic (pulp)
Other