BotanyThe centaur homeland is a tremendously fertile area with high rainfall throughout the year. Because of this, it sports a profusion of plant life which easily supports the entire centaur population.
Common trees at the southern end are live oak, hickory, dogwood, sassafras, magnolia, and catalpa. Olives grow in some of the poorer soils. Morning glories and moonflowers are favorite climbing vines, often planted so that some blossoms will always be open as they cover the side of a dwelling. Flowering shrubs such as hydrangeas and gardenias also dot the landscape, as do an abundance of orchid species, lilies, plumeria, and amaryllis. Ferns are found everywhere, and are also popular as an indoor plant, either in pots, or more frequently, in dirt-floored interior gardens as well as courtyards. Grasses are lush and full, and many varieties grow in the rich soil. Ferns continue at the higher end, but flowers are more cold resistant blooms such as rhododendrons, bee balm, primroses, lupines,
The mountain slopes, being colder, are forested in white pines and red cedars, firs, laurels, oaks, birch, and poplar. Along the river grow alder, black willow, and cypress trees. |
AgricultureAs the centaur homeland has two growing seasons, a variety of crops grow there. The soil is extremely fertile, and supports a wide array of fruits, vegetables, and grains. At the low, southern end grow small orchards of frost-resistant oranges and lemons; other fruits such as peaches and avocados; and nuts such as walnuts and pecans which are scattered across the landscape. Other crops are such diverse things as flax, cotton, and a wide variety of berries
Vegetable crops include beans, eggplant, tomatoes, squash, cabbage, and okra. Roots and tubers such as onions, potatoes, carrots, taro, beets, and yams are also cultivated. Various edible fungi make up a portion of a centaur’s diet, and herbs such as thyme, mint, rosemary, sage, and anise are spread widely throughout the valley. Saffron is occasionally grown on the southern slopes.
Many types of grasses grow in the centaur homeland and are cultivated for a multitude of purposes. Cereal crops include barley, sorghum, meadow grass, rye, and oats. Other uses include animal fodder, thatching, paper making, and basket weaving. Some trade in grain is conducted with the faldrim land of Ardur, but little or no trade in grain is conducted with the esch to the south. Roses, passion flowers, jasmine, violets, lavender, hibiscus, and honeysuckle grow in abundance, and frequently grace tables across the homeland. |
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