Tammitus

Tammitus is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Tammitaceae, native to the temperate rainforests of the archipelago world of Nyr in the Vela Quadrant. Described by botanist L. Soren in 2149, the genus includes three described species: Tammitus auriflora, Tammitus ceruleus, and Tammitus montanus.

Plants are evergreen perennials, reaching 0.5–1.2 meters tall. Leaves are simple, alternate, oblong-elliptic with a serrated margin. The inflorescences are terminal racemes of tubular flowers, typically yellow, blue, or white; fruit is a small globose berry.

Tammitus is adapted to shaded forest floors and damp microclimates. It relies on nocturnal pollinators, including hawkmoths, and seed dispersal by frugivorous birds. The genus shows moderate endemism, with populations localized to several islands in the archipelago; habitat loss threatens several populations.

Taxonomy: Domain Eukaryota; Kingdom Plantae; Phylum Tracheophyta; Class Magnoliopsida; Order Asterales; Family Tammitaceae; Genus Tammitus.

Uses and conservation: Tammitus is grown as an ornamental plant and features in traditional medicines in local cultures on Nyr. The sap is reputed to have anti-inflammatory properties in folklore, though scientific validation is limited. Conservation concerns focus on habitat protection, with several populations protected on two islands and additional ex-situ collections maintained at the Nyr Botanic Institute.