Organgan

Organgan is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. In the fictional biogeography of Eldoria, Organgan is endemic to the montane forest zones of the central highlands, where it occurs as a perennial herb on shaded slopes and clearings. The genus contains a single species, Organgan eldorensis, named for the fictional Eldorian region where it was first collected.

Organgan eldorensis is an erect perennial up to 1.2 m tall. Stems are slender. Leaves are opposite, simple, lanceolate, with serrated margins. The inflorescence consists of solitary flower heads, 2–3 cm in diameter, composed of yellow ray florets (about 8–12) surrounding a central disk of reddish-brown disk florets. The fruit is an achene with a pappus of bristles that facilitates wind dispersal.

Ecology and range: the species occurs in mid-elevation forests from 900 to 1800 m, along forest edges and clearings, typically in full sun to partial shade. It is pollinated by native bees and hoverflies, with wind dispersal of seeds. The plant is a perennial with a slow-to-moderate growth rate and often associates with understory shrubs and ferns. Threats include deforestation and habitat fragmentation, and current populations are sporadic. In the Eldorian Red List, Organgan eldorensis is classified as data deficient pending targeted field surveys.

Taxonomy and etymology: The genus Organgan and species eldorensis were described by botanist L. M. Kestrel in 2107 in the journal Eldorian Flora. The name Organgan derives from an Eldorian root meaning growth, reflecting the plant’s vigorous habit; the epithet eldorensis denotes its origin in Eldor.