Olchanadigan

Olchanadigan is a fictional plant species described for an encyclopedia entry. In the imagined Therai Archipelago, it is valued for its dense growth and bright orange flowers whose scent is resinous when crushed. It features in local folklore as a symbol of sunrise.

Etymology and taxonomy: The name is formed from Therai-language roots and is not part of any real flora. In the fictional taxonomy, it sits in a monotypic genus Olchanad within the fictional family Olchanaceae.

Description: It is a perennial evergreen shrub reaching 1–2 meters. Leaves are oblong and leathery. Inflorescences are panicles of tubular orange flowers; fruits are capsules with several seeds. A resinous extract is produced from damaged stems.

Distribution and habitat: Endemic to coastal scrub on three Therai islands. It grows on calcareous soils with full sun, in regions receiving roughly 600–900 mm of rainfall annually.

Uses and ecology: The flowers yield a natural yellow-orange dye used in textiles. Oils from the plant appear in perfumery, and traditional medicine practices in the fictional culture reference its resin. It is pollinated by sunbirds and supported by local fauna.

Conservation: In this fictional setting, there is no formal conservation status, though coastal development, habitat disturbance, and invasive species are cited as potential threats. Protected areas and cultivation programs are proposed within the narrative.