Tuffiea

Note: Tuffiea is a fictional genus of flowering plants used here for a concise encyclopedia-style entry. In this construct, Tuffiea belongs to the family Asteraceae and the tribe Heliantheae. The genus currently includes four described species: Tuffiea alba, Tuffiea rubra, Tuffiea montana, and Tuffiea cerulea.

Description: Plants are herbaceous perennials or subshrubs, typically 30–120 cm tall, with simple, alternate leaves. Heads are capitula with yellow to pale orange ray florets surrounding a central disk of disk florets. Flowering occurs in summer to autumn, and heads are usually solitary on slender stems. Fruit is an achene with a light, bristly pappus that facilitates wind dispersal.

Distribution and habitat: In this fictional scenario, Tuffiea species occur on rocky hillsides and open grasslands across temperate regions of Terrastria, at elevations from about 200 to 1,500 meters.

Ecology: Pollination is primarily by bees and butterflies; seeds are dispersed by wind. The genus shows moderate drought tolerance and prefers well-drained soils.

Uses: Tuffiea is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate gardens for its bright inflorescences. In the fictional culture of Terrastria, it is valued for late-summer color and is often used in garden design and landscape plantings.

Conservation: In the hypothetical setting, habitat loss and overcollection threaten some species; conservation emphasizes habitat protection and ex situ cultivation.