Balbal

Balbal are virid trees native to the arid central regions of Anásthias, with a distinctive pear-shaped trunk.

Their roots are squeezed by desert dwellers as a nutritious, if unappetising milk, as well as other food uses. They are a particular feature of the Mangasor Desert and the dry landscapes of central Ororr, as well as the dry plains of western Anásthias.

The balbal is ubiquitous throughout Anasthias but has a number of regional subtypes. In general they are tall trees with a distinctive pear-shaped conical trunk, thick and rounded at the base with a bushy head of leaves. The thick skin, wide trunk and high branches protect the tree against grazing animals. It also makes the plant tolerant both to drought and flooding. Balbal are noted for their root system which spreads very far underground, enabling them to survive in very dry conditions. Balbal roots are often found in underground caves, where they burrow deep in search of moisture.

Rather than producing pollen like greenplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigGreen

The Green Kingdom of flora and fauna includes humans, mammals, birds, whales, greenfish, and most green plants and crops cultivated by humankind. trees, balbal propagate by the roots, either as the result of encountering the roots of another tree, or via motile spor which can swim through moisture in the ground or be carried in water. Mature balbal produce large gourd-like fruit with a wet, fibrous interior and usually three lozenge-shaped hard black seeds. As such the trees are considered a symbol of the Therist Mother goddess. The seeds can be spread by different methods. The fruits roll along the ground easily, but are also buoyant so float during floods. The seeds are also spread through the droppings of viridplugin-autotooltip__small plugin-autotooltip_bigVirid

Referring to the Virid Kingdom of flora and fauna, toxic to human life. foragers who eat them. The seeds can lie dormat for years in dry earth, but neonate balbal sprout in damp earth, forming a root bolus over many months which erupts and grows quickly upwards.

Balbal roots form knots of water and sugars throughout the network, and consequently are an important food source for burrowing desert animals. Roots are a relatively pure source of carbohydrate and are one of very few virid plants which can be safely consumed by humans with minimal ill effect, though they are fibrous, unappetising and lacking essential nutrients other than sugars. Mangasori nomads commonly squeeze out and drink the “milk”, then dry and pound the root into a powder. This is mixed with green grains to make a sweet porridge, desert bread, or used to brew beer.

Like most virid trees balbal wood is fibrous and of little use for carving or construction, though the branch fronds are useful as fuel and for basketry. The thicker inedible roots make particularly strong rope. Trunks of old dead trees are cut, split and hollowed out to make the traditional canoes of the middle Wiyel.