zahrnu

Zahrnu is a fictional shrub described in the fantasy world of Eldoria. It is native to the shaded woodlands of the northern highlands and is notable for clusters of bioluminescent berries that glow softly at night, earning it a place in local folklore and plant lore.

In appearance, zahrnu typically grows from 0.6 to 2 meters tall. It has small, oval leaves with finely serrated margins and produces dense panicles of berries. The berries emit a blue-green light due to a luminescent pigment, which is most visible in darkness and has made the plant a familiar sight in moonlit glades.

Zahrnu favors moist, well-drained soil and thrives in shade or dappled light. It is adapted to cool, misty environments and relies on nocturnal moths for pollination. Seed dispersal occurs when animals such as small mammals and certain bird species feed on the berries and carry seeds away from the parent plant. The shrub can live several decades, with regrowth possible after minor disturbances.

Culturally, the berries are used to make dyes and simple lanterns, and some in Eldoria attribute mild medicinal or calming properties to preparations derived from them. Caution is advised, as sap and certain plant parts can irritate the skin and are not consumed raw.

In-world taxonomy places zahrnu within the fictional family Zahrnaceae, an group created for Eldorian botany. It has no counterpart in real-world flora, and references to it appear mainly in fictional ethnobotanical and horticultural texts from Eldoria.