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#growing cactus from seed
a-nana-petite · 10 months
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When I first started researching how to grow cactus by seed, there were so many complicated directions and I was intimidated
But really all I do is throw them on some soaking wet regular cactus soil, stick it in a plastic bag for humidity, and place them on a seed heating pad. Then I leave an extra aquarium light I had laying around on for 12 hours on and 12 off
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It’s worked very well for me so far
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quipsykaylz · 26 days
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My favourite cactus grown from seed
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argonphoenix · 8 months
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very funny of them to use a cat-that-looks-like-a-moon-cactus for this ad, considering those sorry bastards are crimes against the plant kingdom that don’t live more than a year (unless a miracle happens)
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headphonemouse · 2 years
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Guess who's 39 feet of pure, unfiltered lustful energy
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attichaos · 2 years
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P.1 Common Herbs A-Z
This is A-C of some common herbs and their uses
*longer read*
Acorn
Good luck
Protection
Wisdom
Personal power
A dried acorn is an excellent natural amulet for keeping a youthful appearance.
Allspice
Money
Luck
Healing
Obtaining treasure
Provides added determination and energy to any spells and charms. Burn crushed allspice to attract luck and money. Use in herbal baths for healing.
Almond
Wisdom
Money
Fruitfulness
Prosperity
Invokes the healing energy of the deities. Provides magickal help for overcoming dependencies & addiction. Associated with Candlemas and Beltane. Carry, wear, or use as incense to attract abundance.
Aloe
Protection
Luck
Place on the grave of a loved one to promote peaceful energy. Thought to relieve loneliness and assist with success. Hang in the home to attract luck and protection for those who live there. Grow in the home to provide protection from household accidents. Burn on the night of a full moon to bring a new lover by the new moon.
Apple
Love
Garden Magick
Immortality
Friendship
Healing
Place seven apple seeds in a bag with Orris Root to attract sexual love. Use in rituals to give honor to gods and goddesses of fertility. Considered the food of the dead, which is why Samhain is called the 'Feast of Apples'. Symbolizes the soul and is burned at Samhain in honor of those who will be reborn in the spring. When doing a house blessing, cut an apple in half -- eat half and put the other half outside of the home as an offering.
Apricot
Love
Add leaves and flowers to love sachets or carry apricot pits to attract love.
Banana
Fertility
Potency
Prosperity
Basil
Love
Exorcism
Wealth
Sympathy
Protection
Dispels confusion, fears & weakness. Drives off hostile spirits. Associated with Candlemas. Carry to move forward in a positive manner despite perilous danger. Strewn on floors to provide protection from evil. Sprinkle an infusion of basil outside of the building where you hope to be employed for luck in a job interview or in your business to attract money and success. Wear or carry to aid in attracting money and prosperity.
Bay leaf
Protection
Good fortune
Success
Purification
Strength
Healing
Psychic powers
Write wishes on the leaves and then burn the leaves to make the wishes come true. Place under the pillow (or use in dream pillow) to induce prophetic dreams. Place in the corner of each room in the house to protect all that dwell there. Carry bay leaf to protect yourself against black magick.
Black pepper
Banishing negativity
Exorcism
Protection from evil
Blackberry
Healing
Protection
Money
Sacred to Brighid. Leaves and berries said to attract wealth and healing.
Bluebell
Luck
Truth
Friendship
Incorporate into rituals of death & dying to comfort those left behind and ease their sorrow.
Blueberry
Protection
Though not recommended, blueberry is said to cause confusion & strife when tossed in the doorway or path of an enemy.
Burdock
Used for cleansing magick when feeling highly negative about oneself or others. Use in protection incenses and spells. Rinse with a decoction of burdock to remove negative feelings about yourself or others.
Cabbage
Fertility
Profit
Good luck
Lunar magick
Money magick
Cactus
Chastity
Banishing
Protection.
Bury with other banishing symbols for protection. Grow in the home or garden to prevent unwanted intrusions. Place in all directions of the home (north, south, east, and west) for full protection.
Cardamom
Lust
Love
Fidelity
Carrot
Lust
Fidelity
Cashew
Money
Celery
Mental powers
Psychic powers
Lust
Fertility
Male potency
Chamomile
Love
Healing
Reducing stress.
Add to a sachet or spell to increase the chances of its success. Sprinkle an infusion of chamomile around the house to remove hexes, curses and spells. Burn or add to prosperity bags to increase money. Burn as incense for de-stressing, meditation, and restful sleep. Wash hands in an infusion of chamomile for luck before gambling or playing cards. Use in bath magick to attract love. Keep a packet of the herb with lottery tickets for luck.
Cherry
Love
Divination
Gaiety
Happiness
Chestnut
Love
Chilli Pepper
Fidelity
Love
Hex breaking
Scatter powder around the house to break hexes and spells against you. Use in love charms & spells.
Chives
Protection
Weight loss *weight loss spells can be dangerous*
Cinnamon
Spirituality
Success
Healing
Protection
Power
Love
Luck
Strength
Prosperity
Burn as an incense or use in a sachet to raise spiritual and protective vibrations, draw money, and stimulate psychic powers. A popular herb for use in charms to draw money & prosperity. Wear in an amulet to bring passion.
Citronella 
Draws friends to the home, customers to the business. Promotes eloquence, persuasiveness, and prosperity. Protects and cleanses the aura. Encourages self-expression and creativity (great for writers & actors!) and brings clarity to the mind. Repels insects and deodorizes
Clove
Exorcism
Love
Money
Protection
Coconut 
Chastity
Protection
Purification
Coffee
Helps to dispel nightmares and negative thoughts and to overcome internal blockages. Provides peace of mind and grounding.
Coriander
Love
Health
Immortality
Protection.
Tie fresh coriander with a ribbon and hang in the home to bring peace & protection. Add to love charms and spells to bring romance or use in ritual work to ease the pain of a broken love affair. Promotes peace among those who are unable to get along. Throw the seeds in lieu of rice during Handfastings and other rituals of union. Use the seeds in love sachets and spells. Add powdered seeds to wine for an effective lust potion. Wear or carry the seeds to ward off disease and migraines.
Cucumber
Chastity
Fertility
Healing
Cumin
Fidelity
Protection
Exorcism.
The seed is said to prevent the theft of any object which contains it. Burn with frankincense for protection. Scatter on the floor alone or with salt to drive out evil. Use in love spells to promote fidelity. Steep in wine to make love potions.
Curry
Protection
Burn curry powder to keep evil forces away.
And as always, merry meet <3
Atti
(photo - attichaos)
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mooishbeam · 4 months
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『♡』 Strawberry Lemonade
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♡ featuring: toji x f!reader
♡ synopsis: you plan to make strawberry lemonade for the summer, but life has other plans. wc: 1.7k+
♡ cw/tw: just some fluff, toji kisses :3
notes: idk why i kept thinking about soft cottagecore toji my brain fhioshafiohiaf this was so self indulgent srry for any mistakes ive been sick for a few weeks lol <3 comments and reblogs are appreciated!
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After heavy rain showers, sun rolled in and devoured everything beneath it.
Toji doesn’t like summer. He wasn’t exactly fond of the heat rays rippling across the pavement, his black slides bonding like tar if he stood in one place for too long. His bangs would mat to his forehead, and it was overall a hassle to tolerate. He’d much rather laze under air conditioning for the entire season.
Until you came along.
He’d never met someone so delighted over sweat and mosquitos before you. Maybe that’s why he slowly became accustomed to such weather. You weren’t shy about your strange habits. After all, on your third date it poured like no other, and instead of taking cover, you skipped through the rain. It was strange, yet he cracked a smirk at your wide grin.
You’re happy and that’s good enough for him.
You were elated at the promises summer bore, specifically for your plants. Fruitful flowers meandering on branches, the first sign of hibiscus blooming. Every year around that time, you carried your plants outside to bask in her warmth. It was all an invaluable gift from Mother Nature, and you did your best to honor her.
Of course, Toji had to purchase a house with the most sunlight, and a backyard to match—not with you in mind, at least that’s what he’d day as he avoided your gaze. He knew your housewarming gifts would consist of planting tools, but the sheer amount of it was staggering.
It was no surprise you planted your seeds the next day and watched them like a hawk. Toji was sure to mention how much of a “weirdo” you were for spending so much time caring for your perceived babies. A weirdo he loved, because he left marks of his affection in every nook and cranny. Sure, he feigned annoyance over it, but you knew better when he did things you didn’t ask for. Toji isn’t a verbally expressive husband, but his actions make up for the rest.
Like when he built a wooden potting bench to store the inventory accumulating in the corner by your plants. You came home as he was applying the finishing touches and embraced him for what felt like hours. He rolled his eyes, pretending to be unfazed by your gratitude, though you could still see the growing ghost of a smirk; “Don’t thank me, that thing was an eyesore.”
It benefited him, too, to gaze through the screen door in the afternoon and see the gorgeous sun-kissed glow on the apples of your cheeks. He adored your soft eyes that diligently monitored the seeds starting to sprout with a tender smile.
You filed chunky soil into terracotta pots you painted with various designs. The one that resembles a tiny cactus with a face grew a bundle of basil. The other one similar to a tiered strawberry cake grew a fitting crown of strawberries. You weren’t looking to bake an outstanding cake or be the best gardener. For the fruits of your labor, the only thing you wanted was—
A single pitcher of strawberry lemonade.
Toji trudges down the stairs half-asleep and enters the kitchen to pour the usual cup of coffee you make as you wake before him. However, there’s no jug awaiting him. He opens the screen door and finds you kneeling over the pots, sporting a bow knot straw hat and an overall romper in the sweltering heat. Your brows are furrowed, and you pick at the foliage.
He leans against it and scratches his ankle with the tip of his slides. The screen clicks the side, and you turn to him.
“Oh, hey.” There are somber notes in your voice, and something in his body wants to reach out and protect you from whatever’s pulling your face into a frown.
“Hey.” He walks over to you. Your lips are tucked behind your teeth, poking at the strawberry in your palm. He kneels on one knee and you glance at him, flashing a meek smile. He wishes he didn’t have a closer view as your eyes threaten to brim with tears. Oh…his heart, tight and struggling to beat.
Toji was used to loud, ugly love. But you—your love was as gentle as the petals of an orchid, and you’d changed him without even trying. That’s why he adorned your ring finger with precious diamonds. He became a better man and husband in your arms, and in turn he’d give you the world if you desired it. So why were you about to cry?
“What’s up?”
“Nothing…” His eyes follow yours, to the flourishing bunch of basil. And then to the lackluster strawberries.
The ones still hanging from their stems aren’t award-winning. They’re deformed, with multiple nubby ends protruding from every side. They look more like hopeful raspberries than anything else. There’s a considerable pale color washed over half of them. You mold one in your palm.
“Can’t be nothin’.” He picks the strawberry from your hands and observes it with two fingers. It lacks seeds and a deep, rich red. “I just don’t know what went wrong.”
"Who said somethin' went wrong?" You lock eyes, and he pops it in his mouth.
Yours widen, and you cup his face to try and force it out his mouth. “Don’t!”
Toji bites, and in an instant utter sourness prickles his tongue. There’s a strawberry flavor, but not enough to combat. The sting is strong, and when it coats his throat, his tongue contorts to fight the sheer bitterness.
Somehow, he remains stone-faced—a battle with his gut reaction. He can’t bear to break your spirit, not like this, not when you’ve spent months strategizing and waiting for your efforts to ripen. Toji tells the harsh truth, but when it comes to you, he’s willing to be selfish.
He continues to chew while you nervously fiddle with your fingers. You gaze at him, doe-eyed and anticipating his response. The lining of his cheeks excretes copious amounts of saliva, and he finally swallows.
“S’good.”
“R-really?” You’re shocked that they’re edible in this state. He nods and it relieves some of your worry, though you’re unsure about his honesty.
He thumbs the wetness on your lashes away. “Said I like it, so make some of that lemonade ya talked about so much.”
You place a handful of strawberries on the kitchen counter and get to work. You haven’t tried them out for yourself yet, but you don’t want to waste any considering how small they are. Toji stretches out on the chair, black tank riding up as he watches you slice the tips off the strawberries. Your delicate fingers handle them with such care, just so you don’t disappoint with an unpalatable drink. Cute.
When you’re done, the rose-colored liquid fills half the pitcher. You top it with basil and stir it around. You pass a glass to Toji, heart-shaped ice cubes floating on the surface, and sit across from him.
“Let’s try on the count of three.”
“Mhm.”
“Okay! One, two-“ Toji doesn’t stop for the counter and begins to gulp the drink. You take a sip of yours. The tooth-rotting sugar did some to quell the taste, but it was still insanely sour. Your lips purse and you shut your eyes, emitting a tiny squeal. It’s your first attempt and you know you shouldn’t be so critical of yourself, but you can’t help but feel like a failure.
When you open your eyes again, you’re dumbfounded at the empty cup in front of Toji. He licks his lips, “It’s good, baby. Why you look like that?”
“No way.” He tilts his head like he didn’t just consume a liquid jawbreaker. “Hm?”
“It’s…it’s really bad, Toji. You don’t have to lie to me.” You avert your eyes and stare at the condensation running down the glass of your unsuccessful project. He wraps around the table and leans against it while you’re sitting. He cranes your neck with a calloused hand underneath your chin.
“Look at me. I’m here”
“I really wanted it to work. I spent so much time on it.”
“I know, don’t take it so hard. I like it.”
“You just don’t wanna hurt my feelings.” You weren’t entirely wrong.
“It tastes good 'cause you made it.” When you don’t respond, a malicious smirk spreads on his mouth. “Wanna try?”
Toji bends down. He squeezes your face to puckering and plants a deep kiss on your lips. Rough and meaningful, and you melt into it. He releases his grip and follows it with warm plush kisses chasing your contact. His lips are soft but slightly chapped, fleeting hints of cane sugar and just enough basil to notice. Bitter like the descent of a bleeding sunset, the chill of autumn’s return. Silent assurance, that everything was okay, and will be okay.
He parts when you tap his sturdy bicep for fresh air. “Ya done bein’ a baby?” You giggle. Perhaps you overwhelmed yourself obsessing about it for months. He brings you back to Earth, and after the overthinking subsides, you think the outcome isn’t too horrible. A long deserved break is overdue.
“Yea” you sniffle, and he lifts you from the chair into his arms. You lock your legs around his back and bury your face in the crook of his neck.
“Now c’mon, I wanna lay down.” Lay down is his go-to phrase, but he actually means cuddle. He’d never say it, even when lying down quickly became Toji turning on his stomach and shuffling his massive weight onto your chest. It’s what you need right now, and the way his palm rubs up and down your back reduces your mind to mush.
“I’m being a bother” you mutter. He pecks your jaw.
“Nah. Love takin’ care of my little crybaby.”
Laying down becomes cuddling as you predicted, and you massage his scalp until he dozes off in slow breaths. Your favorite weighted blanket traps you between his muscles, and you happily accept.
You’re reminded of his vulnerability, his eagerness to trust without words. He took your problems and made them his. You both surrendered your fears and insecurities to love each other. You traded walls for strawberry kisses, and there’s nothing more you could ask for.
Daylight peaked at its highest point, and as you drift to sleep you wish summer wouldn’t end.
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alphynix · 7 months
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Spectember/Spectober 2023 #09: Things With Wings
(Apologies for the abrupt absence – I'm okay, just having everything break down at once. This is fine.)
So— back to the speculative evolution request list!
@thebigdeepcheatsy requested a "cactus-dwelling/germinating evolution of introduced rosy-faced lovebirds":
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While Agapornis cheatsyi is still quite physically similar to its introduced ancestors, this lovebird has developed a close symbiotic relationship with the cactus Carnegiea ornipolis, a descendant of the modern saguaro.
Naturally fasciated, this cactus grows a splaying fan-like crown which the lovebirds excavate their shallow nest burrows into. Feeding on the cactus' fruit in early summer, the lovebirds then disperse the seeds via their droppings – a process that significantly improves propagation chances, both due to the birds commonly foraging and defecating around suitable nurse plants and the passage through their gut speeding up germination.
———
Someone calling themself "LB" asked for some "flying afrotherians":
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Elbeitandraka venenifer is a descendant of tree-climbing Malagasy tenrecs that developed gliding membranes – and its lineage is now just about achieving true powered flight.
About 25cm long (~10"), its proportionally short broad wings require it to fly very fast to generate enough lift for its weight. It mostly only actively flies when traveling between roosts and feeding sites (or when escaping from threats), alternating between gliding to save energy and flapping to recover altitude.
It's an opportunistic omnivore, crawling around in the tree canopy foraging for vegetation, fruits, fungi, invertebrates, and the occasional smaller vertebrate, using its flexible sengi-like nose to probe around in crevices.
Much like modern common tenrecs it's capable of hibernating for months at a time through periods of scarce food availability. It also accumulates alkaloid toxins in its body from its arthropod prey, advertising its unpalatability to predators with bold contrasting warning coloration on its wing membranes.
———
And here's a combination of a couple of anonymous requests for both "flying heterodontosaurs" and "dragons with hind leg wings, a la sharovipteryx":
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Inversodraco rapax is a highly specialized Jurassic descendant of heterodontosaurids that took to climbing and gliding, developing delta-wing-like membranes on their hindlimbs convergently similar to those of the earlier sharovipterygids.
Around 75cm long (~2'6"), it has unusually flexible hip joints for a dinosaur, able to splay its legs out to the sides to deploy wings supported by an elongated outer toe on each foot. Its arms form small forewings for stability, and its long tail ends in a vane of stiffened feathers that aid in steering.
Unlike its herbivorous-to-omnivorous ancestors it's primarily a carnivore, swooping down onto small prey and grabbing it with its talon-like forelimbs.
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xxdemonicheartxx · 10 months
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The flights and their major exports
Ice: furs, fish, culinary or food grade ice, unique and seasonal herbs, spices and flora that only grow there in the spring, super rich culinary culture has formed here and it attracts tourism and foodies, cooking oils and fats, seeds and nuts for consumption
Nature: lumber, meats, spices, fertile soil, insect cuisine, perfumes, freshwater fish, houseplants, seeds and shoots for farming, decorative plant or wood working, plant based oils for cooking or fuel
Light: wheat, plant based fibers and fabrics, paper and or papyrus, chalk and marble, huge bread and baked goods industry, baskets, porcelain, exotic percivore cuisine, pigments, seasonal fruits
Earth: cactus fruits, minerals and stones, gemstones, terracotta creations or construction pieces, ceramic work, glass tile work, roots and tubers, fossils, pigments,
Wind: rice, grains, construction grade bamboo, paper, rice paper, fabrics, plants and small birds for consumption, instruments (specifically wood-wind), silks, ribbon, sonorous sculptures
Shadow: fungal harvests, wire craft, tactical suits and mantles to conceal the body, iron weaponry with decorative detailing, insect and plant exports, huge root farming industry, lantern exports, candles, woodturned tools/utensils/decor/etc
Water: shells and abalone, fish, seaweed and kelp cuisine, boats and boat blueprints, crustacean cuisine, huge huge huge provider for the pescatarians, opal
Lightning: machinery parts, batteries, cactus harvests, insulation for both heat and electricity, exotic insect cuisine, dried and aged foods, electricity is produced in excess enough to provide immediately to the surrounding territories
Arcane: stained glass, lumber from the starwood strand (has unique properties and could be used for construction or artistic works), magical batteries made from the crystals, tomes and books, lenses, exotic herbivore cuisine, luminous pigments, tapestry work
Plague: immunizers/immunizations, craft and construction grade bones, leather, ale/mead/wine/whiskey/etc because they have the most intricate and detailed brewing and fermenting processes due to the understanding they have surrounding bacteria, pickled foods and pickling kits, surgical grade tools, cheeses, dry aged meats, medical practices unlike any other
Fire: weapons and armor, exotic carnivore cuisine, glasswork and glass blowing, obsidian and basalt export, geothermic energy(they can provide power enough to the surrounding territories) intricate mosaic and tile work, mineral exports, ceramic exports, blackened foods, metal shells and armor for vessels and vehicles and mounts
These are just what I can think of by examining the map and element at face value, there are millions of things these places can produce and export but I think these are the big ones or what they are known for, maybe even just the best quality versions of the export! If you want to use these ideas or add your own feel free!
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suratan-zir · 2 months
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Completely unrelated to anything I post on this blog
But my potted indoor cactus formed fruits? How?? Who pollinated it? I don't even have fungus gnats, not that I know of. How is this possible?
On the photo you can see a smaller fruit. I picked the bigger one, the one that seemed dry and ready for harvest. And there were seeds inside. I'll try to grow them but I don't hold much hope. TBH, this cactus kind of takes over my apartment at this point.
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Apparently they are edible? Although very small. I tried the juice and it was pleasantly sweet.
The dry unpretty stuff you can see in between the "horns" of the cactus (idk how you call it) are all remnants of the flowers. They don't come off easily. It blooms non-stop all year round (all it's babies bloom too) and produces crazy amounts of baby cactuses. But fruit??
This Mammillaria was one of the only two plants I was able to bring with me from Donetsk in 2021. It was a two-day drive, very cold, and there was no room left in the car for plants. Had to leave all my marantas behind and tons of succulents :( But now this guy single-handedly repopulates my house.
So if you want a literally unkillable beast of a plant, I highly recommend Mammillaria, although I don't remember which exactly variety this one is.
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unhingedhyacinth · 13 days
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Demeter Cabin headcanons 🌾
---------------🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼---------------
❃ The Demeter cabin are best friends with the dryads
❃ they constantly visit the Athena cabin because they have books about plants and agriculture in their bookshelves
❃ the Demeter cabin lends a certain amount of plants/herbs to the Hecate cabin every few weeks, the Hecate cabin in turn make a few stuff to help the Demeter cabin grow plants quicker
❃ they hug trees.
❃ they climb trees with the Hermes kids and hang out with them
❃ they brought coffee to camp half blood by somehow creating a mini coffee plantation. everyone literally loves them for it.
❃ the aphrodite cabin ask the Demeter cabin for flowers that they can braid in hair
❃ they have an unending supply of snacks because like a quarter of their plants are edible
❃ you know how we have pen stands? the Demeter cabin have seed stands. everywhere.
❃ they like to annoy Nico and their excuse is that "his father kidnapped their cousin" but they all collectively agree that persephone is better off as the queen of the underworld
❃ the force the Hephaestus cabin to build flower crowns for them. they've given in.
❃ they like to give everyone on camp a certain plant or tree associated with them as a joke.
❃ the Apollo kids come to the demeter cabin for help with medicine.
❃ they all have stories of trying to hug a cactus or a poisonous plant from their childhood.
❃ speaking of cacti, their form of taking revenge is asking the Hermes cabin to put a line of cacti next to someone's bed so that when that someone wakes up they step on a cactus first thing in the morning. but this is only reserved for people who have done something HORRIBLE, because the Demeter cabin is usually chill
❃ they grow grapes so that they can get on the good side of Mr. D
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ammg-old2 · 11 months
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In the last decade, cacti have exploded in popularity, becoming a mainstay of hipster decor around the world – from the homes of China’s growing middle class and the meticulous cactus gardens in Japan to the fashionable cafes of Europe.
In the US alone, sales of cacti and succulents surged 64% between 2012 and 2017; a market that is now estimated to be worth tens of millions. But rising demand has met a thorny problem: cacti are extremely slow-growing, with some species taking decades to grow from seed to full maturity. Hence, many opt for the shortcut: pulling them right out of the ground.
For land managers and scientists who work with cacti, the problem appears to be on the rise. While the precise scale is difficult to measure, and catching thieves red-handed in remote deserts is nearly impossible, major busts offer clues. In 2014, more than 2,600 stolen cacti were seized at US borders – up from 411 just a year before. But law enforcement officials and field scientists say that data represents only a tiny fraction of cactus actually being stolen.
“When I first started we rarely investigated cactus theft,” said one US Fish and Wildlife Service detective, who asked not to be named due to the undercover nature of his work. He has covered the south-west region for more than a decade and says the problem is increasing. “Now we are prosecuting cases involving thousands of plants at a time. The demand is so high that I fear we can’t stop the illegal trade going on.”
While many plants fall victim to underground cactus cartels, a seemingly more benign form of theft has become part of the problem, too. International visitors who come to the south-west specifically to view rare cactus in the wild sometimes take a souvenir home, and social media is exacerbating the problem.
“We’ve had Austrian, German and Italian collectors express strong interest on social media for these plants and they share GPS coordinates,” said Wendell “Woody” Minnich, the former president of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America. “Some of these people come to steal, especially when a new species is identified. They hide the plants in their suitcase and take them back to their greenhouse in Europe.”
Minnich, 71, has been a cactus grower and nursery operator in New Mexico for 50 years. He said the internet had significantly accelerated theft of rare, slow-growing cactus species over the last decade. A case in point: Sclerocactus havasupaiensis, which is native to one drainage at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, was being auctioned on eBay in early January by a seller in Ukraine. It was just one of more than 365 internationally protected plant species that are openly traded on Amazon and eBay.
“Do a Google search on Sclerocactus and you can find people in Russia selling them,” said Minnich. “I have been on public lands in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado where years ago Sclerocactus were everywhere, and recently I found just a bunch of little holes in the ground.”
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lollytea · 9 months
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Luz: Uh Ohhhhh. Hunterrrr, Willowww, what's that hanging above your heads? >:3
Willow: Oooh, mistletoe!
Luz: That's right! And did you know th-
Willow: Mistletoe species grow on a wide range of host trees, some of which experience side effects including reduced growth, stunting, and loss of infested outer branches. A heavy infestation may also kill the host plant. Viscum album successfully parasitizes more than 200 tree and shrub species.
All mistletoe species are hemiparasites because they do perform some photosynthesis for some period of their life cycle. However, in some species its contribution is very nearly zero. For example, some species, such as Viscum minimum, that parasitize succulents, commonly species of Cactaceae or Euphorbiaceae, grow largely within the host plant, with hardly more than the flower and fruit emerging. Once they have germinated and attached to the circulatory system of the host, their photosynthesis reduces so far that it becomes insignificant.
Most of the Viscaceae bear evergreen leaves that photosynthesise effectively, and photosynthesis proceeds within their green, fleshy stems as well. Some species, such as Viscum capense, are adapted to semi-arid conditions and their leaves are vestigial scales, hardly visible without detailed morphological investigation. Therefore, their photosynthesis and transpiration only take place in their stems, limiting their demands on the host's supply of water, but also limiting their intake of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Accordingly, their contribution to the host's metabolic balance becomes trivial and the idle parasite may become quite yellow as it grows, having practically given up photosynthesis.
At another extreme other species have vigorous green leaves. Not only do they photosynthesize actively, but a heavy infestation of mistletoe plants may take over whole host tree branches, sometimes killing practically the entire crown and replacing it with their own growth. In such a tree the host is relegated purely to the supply of water and mineral nutrients and the physical support of the trunk. Such a tree may survive as a Viscum community for years; it resembles a totally unknown species unless one examines it closely, because its foliage does not look like that of any tree. An example of a species that behaves in this manner is Viscum continuum.
A mistletoe seed germinates on the branch of a host tree or shrub, and in its early stages of development it is independent of its host. It commonly has two or even four embryos, each producing its hypocotyl, that grows towards the bark of the host under the influence of light and gravity, and potentially each forming a mistletoe plant in a clump. Possibly as an adaptation to assist in guiding the process of growing away from the light, the adhesive on the seed tends to darken the bark. On having made contact with the bark, the hypocotyl, with only a rudimentary scrap of root tissue at its tip, penetrates it, a process that may take a year or more. In the meantime the plant is dependent on its own photosynthesis. Only after it reaches the host's conductive tissue can it begin to rely on the host for its needs. Later it forms a haustorium that penetrates the host tissue and takes water and nutrients from the host plant.
Species more or less obligate include the leafless quintral, Tristerix aphyllus, which lives deep inside the sugar-transporting tissue of a spiny cactus, appearing only to show its tubular red flowers, and the genus Arceuthobium (dwarf mistletoe; Santalaceae) which has reduced photosynthesis; as an adult, it manufactures only a small proportion of the sugars it needs from its own photosynthesis, but as a seedling actively photosynthesizes until a connection to the host is established.
Some species of the largest family, Loranthaceae, have small, insect-pollinated flowers (as with Santalaceae), but others have spectacularly showy, large, bird-pollinated flowers.
Most mistletoe seeds are spread by birds that eat the 'seeds' (in actuality drupes). Of the many bird species that feed on them, the mistle thrush is the best-known in Europe, the Phainopepla in southwestern North America, and Dicaeum of Asia and Australia. Depending on the species of mistletoe and the species of bird, the seeds are regurgitated from the crop, excreted in their droppings, or stuck to the bill, from which the bird wipes it onto a suitable branch. The seeds are coated with a sticky material called viscin. Some viscin remains on the seed and when it touches a stem, it sticks tenaciously. The viscin soon hardens and attaches the seed firmly to its future host, where it germinates and its haustorium penetrates the sound bark.
Specialist mistletoe eaters have adaptations that expedite the process; some pass the seeds through their unusually shaped digestive tracts so fast that a pause for defecation of the seeds is part of the feeding routine. Others have adapted patterns of feeding behavior; the bird grips the fruit in its bill and squeezes the sticky-coated seed out to the side. The seed sticks to the beak and the bird wipes it off onto the branch.
Biochemically, viscin is a complex adhesive mix containing cellulosic strands and mucopolysaccharides.
Once a mistletoe plant is established on its host, it usually is possible to save a valuable branch by pruning and judicious removal of the wood invaded by the haustorium, if the infection is caught early enough. Some species of mistletoe can regenerate if the pruning leaves any of the haustorium alive in the wood.
Luz:
Hunter: You are so cool, I want to kiss you so bad.
Luz: Hey, guess what??
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stjohnstarling · 5 months
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This really has nothing to do with anything but I keep thinking about the time I tried to grow peyote. Where I’m from, it’s legal to grow and own peyote plants so long as you pinkie swear you won’t eat them. Dried peyote will get sold as potpourri. That sort of thing. There are stores you can buy it in. Yes really.
The thing about peyote is that it's absurdly slow growing, it can take a decade to mature, and so mature plants and cuttings are stupidly expensive. Adult plants will sell for hundreds of dollars. So, being as I was and remain broke, of course I decided to order some seeds off the internet.
Honestly I was kind of excited about having these cactuses around for a long time. Sort of a similar appeal to keeping a poison garden. A fun surprise for guests.
Have you ever tried to grow a cactus? Most people don't grow cactuses from seeds for good reason. They're almost impossible to get them past babyhood. In my case I left the damn things on the porch for about ten minutes too long and they all died of sunburn.
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onginlove · 10 months
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Hi! Haven't seen anyone do this before, can I request a E42! Miles having a new neighbor who loves plants? I mean LOVES plants, from flowers, cactus, succulents. I'm a plant mom so if you could thanks!! 😘🌺
ofc! this is actually a really nice idea!
The New Neighbor
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pairing: e!42 myles x black!fem!reader
warnings: none
word count: 300+
a/n: I might’ve wrote this very bad so I’m sorry but i really liked this idea!
who wanna join my taglist?
masterlist | taking requests for e!42 myles and miles
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y/n was helping her mom put in the last box from the truck. when she headed back inside, she sat down on the floor (there was nothing bc it’s a new house.)
“y/n, go pick out your room and unload your boxes.”
“ok ma!”
she walked upstairs and found the perfect room. it wasn’t too small or big.
y/n took out her stuff like picture frames, posters, her paintings, and stuff that’s special to her.
there was about 5 fake plants in her room (the most for me is none ;-;). y/n enjoyed plants a lot. when she found out there was a backyard, she was happy that she could grow some stuff.
“imma go plant my seeds.”
“already? we just got here.”
“yup.”
y/n opened the sliding door and started to dig some holes and planting the seeds. apparently, someone was watching her do it (stalker.)
“hey!”
“oh my gosh you scared me.”
“sorry. im myles, your neighbor”
“nice to meet you myles.”
“do you wanna come over, maybe?”
“sure. lemme ask my mom first.”
you headed back inside to find your mom (duh.)
“mom can i go to the neighbor’s house?”
“you don’t even know them.”
“i met their son in the backyard.”
“fine.” (my mom could neverrr)
——
you headed into the house and saw myles right away
“hey.”
“hi.”
“myles, mi hijo, quien es esto?”
“this is our neighbor’s daughter. I invited her over.”
“nice to meet you. im rio.”
“nice to meet you. im y/n.”
—-
in his room….
“so, i saw you were planting stuff.”
“oh yea, i love plants.”
“really?”
“yea. sometimes i go out on a walk in the park and try to paint the pretty flowers that i see.”
“your an artist?”
“i try.”
“i do street art with my spray paints.”
“that’s sounds fun!”
and that was just the beginning of a new friendship 🤭🤭
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ghostwise · 7 months
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ZevWarden Week 2023 - Day 1, Tradition and Trying New Things
🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿
Tunas y Xoconostles :: 468 words tags: antiva, antivan dalish, zevran arainai/male mahariel
Antiva's Drylands are less populated than its coastal cities, and not without reason; here the colors tan and gold overtake green, and the lush climate gives way to a vast expanse of arid landscape. Past all that stand the Hundred Pillars—aptly named for their imposing height—though from where he's standing, they are a mere smudge on the horizon.
But for all their extremes, Zevran has to admit the Drylands are no less beautiful. This evening in particular paints the sky in vibrant reds and oranges, and the world stretches out before him in a thousand colors.
It's all just as he remembers it.
The Antivan Dalish know the Drylands by heart, of course. But he never was one of them. Not really. Those weeks when he'd escaped the Crows in his youth were so brief, and the memories are so painfully tender, thinking of it feels like an old bruise. He doesn't want to dwell on that past.
Fortunately, he doesn't have to. It is a far better focus of his attention to see Hamal experience the Drylands for the first time.
The Warden stands in the midst of all this color, surveying his surroundings in awe. The landscape is so different from the Brecilian Forest, where he grew up; he hardly knows where to turn his focus. Zevran watches as with every few steps, Hamal finds something new to marvel at: an odd plant or a lizard or a curious rock. And though there are no ferns or mosses in sight, spirits walk here too (though none so fearsome as the wild sylvans in Ferelden, thank the Maker!).
At this rate they won't reach Brynnlaw for a week, but Zevran doesn't mind. He just smiles as Hamal draws up to a prickly pear cactus.
"Look at this plant! Incredible. And the little red bulbs on it… is this fruit?"
In response, Zevran quickly produces a dagger. "It is. But it has thorns. Allow me," he says.
Holding the fruit steady with one finger, he uses smooth, quick flicks of his blade to peel a prickly pear right on the cactus. Its juicy and bright red flesh leaves blood-like streaks on his skin as he tugs it free and hands it to Hamal.
"Mind the seeds," he says as Hamal delicately takes it in his fingers. "They're-"
"Elgar'nan!"
Too late.
"It is all seeds! They are so tough! Worse than a pomegranate," Hamal declares. He spits out the little round seeds and then looks at Zevran, unimpressed.
"You are actually supposed to swallow them." Zevran tries to hide a laugh, unsuccessfully. "They are good for you! Sweet and full of water. Do you like them?"
Hamal thinks about it, and at length he lets out a sigh. "This one might have to grow on me, vhenan."
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Flora of Thedas Master List
Master list of all the flora in Thedas, mentioned or seen.
Additional notes on certain items will be listed at the bottom, for items marked with asterisks, see the key below for a brief explanation and the Game assets and Additional Notes and Trivia section at the bottom. Sources are listed at the very end and this time linked.
For other lists here are posts for: Real Plants in Thedas
Key: * - Name comes from the asset file name ** - Name not provided but identified based on the textures used on the asset. *** - See Additional Notes and Trivia.
General Flora: Flowers and Foliage
Acacia*: Black Wood*
Andraste's Grace
Ardent Blossom
Ash
Aspen
Banyan Tree*
Barbwood
Beech Tree
Belladonna
Birch: White Birch*
Blackthorn
Bluebell
Borage
Boswellia
Boxwood*
Buttercup
Cactus: Pear Cactus*
Cattail*
Cedar: Red Cedar
Chicory
Clover: Forest Clover*
Coleus**
Cosmos
Cotton
Crape Myrtle
Cypress: Italian Cypress*, Topiary Cypress*
Daffodil
Daisy: Marguerite
Dandelion
Dog-rose
Dogwood*
Elephant Ear*
Elm
Fade Berry*
Felicidus Aria
Fern: Red Fern*, Sword Fern*
Fir
Flax
Foxleaf*
Frangipani
Gorse
Harlot's Blush
Hawthorn
Hay
Hemp
Hensbane
Hero Tree*
Hollyhock
Honeysuckle
Iris
Ironbark
Ironwood***
Itchweed
Ivy
Jasmin
Larch
Lichen: Glowing Lichen
Lilac
Lily: Calla Lily**, Water Lily
Lotus
Maple
Marigold
Moss: Oakmoss, Redmoss, Tree-Moss
Nightshade
Northern Prickleweed
Oak: Serault Oak
Orchid
Palm Tree: Curly Palm*, Fan Palm*
Pansy
Peony
Pine: Chir Pine*, Stone Pine
Ponga Tree*
Poppy
Prickle-burrs
Redwood*
Rose: Climbing Rose
Rowan
Sandalwood
Seaweed
Snapdragon
Spruce
Sugar Cane
Sundew
Sunflower
Sylvanwood
Tahanis
Thistle
Trex*
Trullium
Vasanthum
Violet
Walnut: Black Walnut
Waterweed*
Wilds Flower
Willow
Witchhazel*
Wysteria
Yew
Fruits
Apple: Applewood Apple, Green Apple, Golden Apple, Red Apple
Apricot
Banana
Berries: Blackberry, Blueberry, Bramble Berry, Cranberry, Elderberry, Raspberry, Strawberry
Cherry
Citron
Coco, Chocolate
Coconut
Coffee
Currants: Black Currant
Fig
Grape
Lemon
Lime
Melon
Nuts: Almonds, Chestnut, Hognut, Peanuts
Olives
Orange: Sweet Orange
Palm Fruit: Date
Passion Fruit
Peach
Pear: Bradford Pear*
Plum
Pomegranate
Grains
Barley
Oats
Rice
Ryott
Wheat
Vegetables
Artichoke
Beans: Bush Bean, Green Bean, Pale Bean, White Bean
Beets
Bell Peppers: Red Bell Peppers
Cabbage
Capers
Carrot
Celery
Chive
Corn
Cucumber
Daikon Radish*
Eggplant
Fennel
Onion: Red Onion, Sweet Onion, White Onion
Pea
Peppers: Antivan Pepper, Green Pepper, Hot Pepper, Hot Red Pepper, Sweet Pepper
Potato
Radish
Spinach
Squash: Baby Pumpkin, Marrow Squash, Pumpkin, String Squash
Tomato
Turnip
Fungus of Thedas
Deep Mushrooms
Bleeding Russula
Blightcap
Blighted Morel
Brimstone Mushroom
Deep Mushroom
Destroying Spirit
Ghoul's Mushroom
Unnamed Mushroom Ortan Thaig
Surface Mushrooms
Beetle Spore
Drakevein
Field Mushroom
Gasbloom*
Sponge Root***
Toadstool
Truffle
Morel***
Unnamed Glowing Mushroom***
Unnamed Mushroom***
Spices
Allspice
Antivan Cord-Seed
Cardamom
Cinnamon
Clove
Cumin, Cumin Seed
Dill, Dill Seed
Juniper
Licorice
Mace
Mustard
Nutmeg
Pepper: Black Pepper
Peppercorn: Black Peppercorn
Saffron
Vanilla
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Herbs of Thedas
Herbs count as anything that Dragon Age has classified as an herb (whether technically correct or not), plants that are used as herbs in real life. These do not include mushrooms, fungi, or deep mushrooms simply for ease of organization.
Amrita Vein
Andraste's Mantle
Arbor Blessing
Basil
Bay
Catsbane
Crystal Grace
Deathroot: Arcanist Deathroot, Lunatic's Deathroot
Dragonthorn
Elfroot/Canavaris: Bitter Elfroot, Gossamer Elfroot, Royal Elfroot
Embrium: Dark Embrium, Salubrious Embrium
Felandaris
Foxite
Garlic
Ghoul's Beard
Ginger
Heatherum
Lavender
Lotus: Black Lotus, Blood Lotus, Dawn Lotus
Madcap
Mint: Anderfel's Mint, Foxmint, Peppermint
Mintroot - Not a true mint based on its description and the fact that it grows on trees.
Oregano
Parsley
Prophet's Laurel
Rashvine
Rashvine Nettle
Redleaf
Rosemary
Sage
Spindleweed: Verdant Spindleweed
Stripweed
Thyme
Vandal Aria
Winterberry***
Witherstalk
Star Anise
Wormwood
Wormroot***
Game Assets Notes
These are plants shown in Dragon Age but aren't named in universe, just in their model files or through identification of the textures. Since most filler plant textures are just that of real world plants.
**NOTE:** When I mention they are not the known name of any plant, this comes with the caveat of being popular common names. Common names are highly variable and inconsistent. They depend on regional knowledge and association. Some travel farther than others. Common names are also not reliable identifiers.
Acacia: Black Wood ~ Note: Black Wood is a type of acacia. Both acacia and black wood are named assets.
Artichoke ~ Note: Identification comes from asset name, the artichoke flower is used as ornamentation of a box.
Banyan Tree
Boxwood ~ A type of shrub, identification comes from asset name.
Bradford Pear ~ Their fruits are edible, however their flowers are known to emit a smell akin to rotting meat. Identification comes from asset name.
Calla Lily ~ Note: Not named but identified by the texture used. It is seen in Val Royeaux planters.
Cattail ~ Note: Seen through out DAO and DAI, identification comes from asset name.
Coleus ~ Note: Not named but identified by the texture used. It is seen in Val Royeaux planters and in the Frostback Basin.
Crape Myrtle
Cypress: Italian Cypress, Topiary Cypress ~ Note: In terms of the Italian Cypress, in world it wouldl likely be called the "Antivan Cypress" given that Antiva is pulling from Italian culture, food, environments, and other inspirational elements. Cypress is a plant that is named in canon.
Daikon Radish ~ Note: Found on Dennet's farm, identification comes from asset name.
Dogwood
Elephant Ear ~ Note: Foliage found in the Frostback Basin, identification comes from asset name.
Fade Berry
Fern: Red Fern, Sword Fern ~ Note: The red fern isn't a real plant and therefore can be considered unique to Thedas. In contrast the sword fern is a real plant. Identification comes from the asset name for both of these ferns.
Forest Clover
Foxleaf ~ Note: This is another plant that is not real, no plant has this common name as far as I could find.
Gasbloom ~ Note: Seen in the Arbor Wilds, the Frostback Basin some elven ruins, and the elven ruins of multiplayer levels. Their identification comes from the asset name. There are two versions of the texture the "fixed" version is used in JoH dlc and thus explains the difference in appearance. This is not the name of a known mushroom.
Hero Tree
Palm: Curly Palm, Fan Palm ~ Note: Both palms are seen in the Frostback Basin, both are identified by their named assets.
Pear Cactus ~ Note: Found in the Frostback Basin, identification comes from the asset name.
Pine: Chir Pine
Ponga Tree ~ Note: Also known as the 'Tree Fern'. This is the tree you see in Val Royeaux garden as coming from Par Vollen, and throughout the Arbor Wilds.
Redwood ~ Note: Identified by the name of the file asset. Found in the Winter Palace, Exalted Plains, and on multiplayer maps.
Snapdragon
Trex
Waterweed ~ Note: In real life this is an entire genus not one particular plant. Though the six plants in this genus do share the common name of waterweed.
White Birch
Witchhazel
Additional Notes and Trivia
Ironwood - Unclear if this is an alternative name, the actual name of the plant, or both.
Morel - This mushroom is inferred due to the existence of Blighted Morel. However it is not explicitly specified there is a non-blighted morel.
Sponge Root - Though canonical as it is mentioned and shown in World of Thedas vol. 2 on pg. 138 with a collection of deep mushroom and surface mushroom illustrations. This mushroom was cut twice from Inquisition. It was cut from the base game as a craftable, it had a much different appearance from its final design, and then it was cut again from Trespasser. It does however still make an appearance in Inquisition as the inventory icon for Crystal Grace.
Unnamed Glowing Mushroom Is mentioned in multiplayer when there are two Lukas playing.
Unnamed Mushroom These brown mushrooms are seen in the Fallow Mire and the Frostback Basin. They are shown in two different sizes ranging from shorter than a dwarf to taller than one.
There is one unlisted mushroom, its assets is named "red mushroom" and thus is identified by textures. These is not a canon name but is included for completeness. Amanita Muscaria: More commonly know as fly agaric or fly amanita, the red top with white spots is an iconic in its imagery. You will find large swaths of these mushrooms in the Frostback Basin. Their assets is named "Red Mushroom".
Winterberry is a real plant. However, from what we see in DA2, it does not the same as the plant we have in the real world, just a shared common name.
Wormroot is another real plant name. However, due to the description in The Calling, it does not seem to be the same plant. In The Calling it is used to treat the venom of a giant spider. The real world plant is used to treat parasites in the gut and does not seem to hold any shared uses in folk lore, folk medicine, or western medicine practices.
Sources
Dragon Age Origins + DLCs Dragon Age 2 Dragon Age Last Court Dragon Age Inquisition + DLCs Dragon Age TTRPG Core Rulebook Dragon Age TTRPG Blood of Ferelden Dragon Age TTRPG: Creatures of Thedas: Wyvern
World of Thedas Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne Dragon Age: The Calling Dragon Age: The Masked Empire Dragon Age: Last Flight Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights Short Story: Paying the Ferryman Short Story: Riddle in the Truth Short Story: The Wake
Origins Andraste's Grace Codex: The Bercillian Forest Codex: Falon'Din: Friend of the Dead, the Guide Codex: Feast Day Fish Codex: The History of Soldier's Peak: Chapter 3 Codex: Ironbark Codex: A Note from the Honnleath Village Council Codex: Sylaise: The Hearthkeeper Codex: Sylvan Codex: A Tattered Shopping List Item: Concentrator Agent Item: Deep Mushroom Item: Figurine Item: Madcap Bulb Item: Rare Antivan Brandy Item: Rashvine Nettle Item: Spirit Charm Item: Spirit Cord Item: Sugar Cake Item: Swift Salve Item: West Hill Brandy Item: Wilds Flower
DA 2 Ambrosia Bianca (Crossbow) Ironwood Clearing Codex: Deathroot Codex: Deep Mushroom Codex: Embrium Codex: Felandaris Codex: The Hedge Witch Codex: Spindleweed Item: Carved Ironwood Buttons Item: Harlot's Blush Quest: Hard to Stomach Quest: The Long Road Quest: Tranquility Weapon: The Celebrant Weapon: Ironwood Shield Weapon: Ironwood Warblade
Inquisition Codex: Amrita Vein Codex: Arbor Blessing Codex: Avvar Cuisine Codex: Black Lotus Codex: Blood Lotus Codex: Bottles of Thedas Codex: Crystal Grace Codex: Elfroot Codex: Ghoul's Beard Codex: The Girl in Red Crossing Codex: Hard in Hightown Chapter 7 Codex: Hard in Hightown Chapter 10 Codex: Mediations and Odes to Bees Codex: Notes on Palace Guests Codex: The Orlesian Civil War Codex: Prophet's Laurel Codex: Rashvine Codex: Rashvine Nettle Codex: Vandal Aria Codex: Vivienne's Alchemy Notes Codex: Waterlogged Diary Codex: Witherstalk Note: Betta's Traveling Journal Note: Carta Note on Security Note: Field Notes Note: The Gilded Horn's Drink List Note: Knight-Captain's Orders Note: Love Letter Note: A Note from Skyhold's Kitchens Note: A Note from Skyhold's Kitchens, Again War Table: The Dance with the Dowager: The Allemande Item: Ardent Blossom
Last Court The Abbess' Road The Anchoress Arrival of the Divine The Feast is Ending Fires Flames of Freedom Good Neighbors Heartwood Feast The Hounds The Lord of the Wood Comes a-Calling The Purveyor of Teas Road and River A Swift Stream Thieves! Unofficial Meeting
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