Harrisonius

Harrisonius is a fictional genus of flowering plants created for science fiction and fantasy world-building. It appears in in-universe field guides, encyclopedias, and fan-made compendia used to illustrate botanical taxonomy and nomenclature within imagined ecosystems. The name is constructed to resemble Latinized plant genera, typically ending with -ius.

In the in-world taxonomy, Harrisonius is placed in the family Asteraceae, order Asterales, class Eudicots, division Angiosperms, kingdom Plantae. The genus is described as herbaceous perennials with simple, lanceolate leaves arranged alternately, and inflorescences that form composite heads of yellow disk florets with minimal or absent ray florets. The fruit is a cypsela with a slender pappus enabling wind dispersal.

Described species include Harrisonius arvensis, a field-adapted perennial; Harrisonius nocturnus, a nocturnally blooming form; and Harrisonius ceruleus, distinguished by blue-tinted stems. The fictional distribution centers on the temperate zones of the world of Veridia, with preferred habitats ranging from meadow edges to rocky outcrops at mid elevations.

In cultural contexts, Harrisonius is used as an example in teaching materials on taxonomy and nomenclature, and has appeared in interpretive exhibitions and fan-fiction. It functions as a narrative device to explore ecological relationships, pollination biology, and the consequences of habitat change in the imagined world.