tomabas

Tomabas is a fictional genus of flowering plants described for an illustrative encyclopedia entry. It comprises two species, Tomabas minor and Tomabas major, and is placed in the invented family Tomabaceae. The entry outlines characteristics, distribution, and uses as depicted in regional floras of the imagined Veridia highlands.

Tomabas trees are evergreen, reaching 6–12 meters tall. Leaves are opposite, simple, lanceolate to elliptic. Flowers are small and pale yellow, produced in loose inflorescences. The fruit is a glossy berry about 1–2 cm in diameter, with sweet-tart flesh.

Endemic to the tropical Veridia highlands, a fictional montane region, Tomabas specimens grow in primary and secondary forests, forest edges, and clearings, typically at 600–1400 meters elevation. Rainfall is high and relatively evenly distributed; soils are well drained.

Ecology and cultivation: pollination is performed by bees and hummingbirds. Seeds have moderate viability and germinate best after brief cold stratification. Propagation is by seeds or semi-hardwood cuttings. In cultivation, Tomabas prefers warm, humid conditions and regular rainfall; fruiting occurs 4–6 years after planting.

Uses and cultural context: fruits are eaten fresh or processed into jams and beverages. Leaves are used in herbal infusions, and the wood is not a major commercial product. Essential oils extracted from certain tissues are noted for mild fragrance properties.

Taxonomy and history: the genus was first described by botanist A. Verandi in 1987 in a regional flora of Veridia. The name derives from the fictional Tomaba River in the highlands. In this article, Tomabas is treated as a hypothetical genus with no extant conservation status. See also: Tomaba.