Uppumpa

Uppumpa is a fictional plant species that features in speculative fiction and world-building exercises. In these contexts, uppumpa is described as a drought-tolerant perennial that grows in a tropical archipelago also named Uppumpa. It typically reaches about 0.6 to 1.1 meters in height and bears broad, finely divided leaves. The plant produces small, pale flowers in dense clusters and develops a large, tuberous root that stores water and nutrients.

Imagined to be native to sandy soils and volcanic ash in uplifted coastal zones, uppumpa is said to thrive in a pronounced wet season followed by a dry season. It is pollinated by native butterflies and small beetles, with seed dispersal aided by fruiting capsules that crack open with the wind.

The tuber is edible and valued for its starch content, with flavors described as sweet-nutty when roasted. Leaves may be used in herbal infusions, and fiber from the stem is said to be suitable for simple cordage in traditional crafts.

Uppumpa carries symbolic associations with resilience and water security in the fictional culture of the archipelago, appearing in harvest festivals and folklore as a vital source of sustenance during droughts.

Writers use uppumpa as a modular plant element to populate ecosystems, cuisines, and mythologies in world-building projects. See also: List of fictional plants, World-building.