Carotidus

Carotidus is a fictional genus of flowering plants created for illustrative purposes in a hypothetical flora. In this imagined account, the genus comprises two described species: Carotidus aurantiacus and Carotidus nivalis. Plants are herbaceous perennials with erect stems roughly 40–100 cm tall, lanceolate leaves with serrated margins, and inflorescences consisting of bright orange capitula surrounded by green involucral bracts. The fruit is an achene with a small pappus.

Distribution and habitat in the fictional setting place Carotidus in the montane region of Valoreth. Carotidus aurantiacus is described from mid-elevation meadows, while Carotidus nivalis occurs on alpine slopes. Both species prefer well-drained soils and full sun, with flowering periods tied to altitude and season.

Ecology and reproduction indicate pollination mainly by native bees and day-flying butterflies, and wind-assisted seed dispersal. Flowering spans from late spring to late summer, varying by species. The two species may hybridize where their ranges meet in the narrative landscape.

Taxonomy and etymology explain that the name Carotidus derives from Latin carota, referring to the orange coloration, with the suffix -idus implying resemblance. In this article, Carotidus is placed within a provisional, fictional taxonomic framework used to illustrate naming conventions and classification practice.

Uses and cultural references note ornamentally planted specimens for alpine or rock gardens and potential pigment use in the fictional world. In regional folklore, Carotidus characters symbolize endurance and resilience, reinforcing their symbolic associations in the imagined culture.