 The Botanist's Alphabet
by costa_rican_girl
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A GARDEN—Have you ever visited your Aunt Margarie's house? If so, did you ever
go out to the backyard to have a picnic? If so, was your mind boggled by all the
strange-looking foliage surrounding you? If you answered yes to all of these questions,
then this article is for you. Then again, perhaps you are simply an aspiring botanist.
Or maybe you just feel like reading an article about plants. Or maybe not. No
matter what, this article is definitely for you. Well, we botanists here at the
Neopian Times Gardening Center have compiled together this list to help you with
your gardening. We have picked the best flowers, trees, and shrubs to perfect
it with wonderful beauty.
A = Atrabud
Rarity: 25
Description: This unusual plant’s roots actually grow above the ground.
The roots often have bright patterns on them, making them just as attractive
as the flower itself.
Information: These interesting organisms originated in the depths of
Maraqua, thus the abnormal manner of growth. The roots would absorb loads of
water, creating an unusually heavy plant. Eventually the Atrabud was accidentally
brought to Meridell by an old farmer.
B = Boadaisy
Rarity: 65
Description: The Boadaisy is the pride of many Neohomes with its purple
flowers, silvery-green, marbled stems and magenta stripes.
Information: Boadaisies are extremely cheap flowers, no matter what
the price is. Their flimsy stems (though beautiful) can barely hold itself up,
let alone the flowers! Sure, they look nice – if you keep them from toppling
over by attaching it to a stick. If you ask me, these plants are not worth the
hassle. Find something else to brighten up your Neohome.
C = Chick-a-Daisy
Rarity: 14
Description: Chick-a-Daisy is a strange plant...
Information: Indeed the Chick-a-Daisy is a very, very strange plant.
They grow in the driest areas of the Lost Desert, feeding on the most waterless
sands. It takes them only twelve hours after being planted to reach their full
size. When (although this is an extremely rare occurrence) it rains in the Desert,
the Chick-a-Daisy withers and is prone to death, unless appropriate steps are
taken to heal it.
D = Dragonbud
Rarity: 60
Description: Dragonbuds help keep nasty bugs and aphids at bay. It likes
nothing better than munching on the troublesome pests.
Information: Dragonbuds are probably the most unique plant. They can
both attract a visitor to your garden AND devour them. Dragonbuds are most definitely
from Meridell, and are Kastraliss' favourite plant. My one question to the Neopets
Team is, "What's a dragon?" I'm pretty sure a Draikbud would be more successful
to those younger Neopets.
E = Extra Wild Orchid
Rarity: 87
Description: This is one extremely prickly plant that will grow everywhere
if you don’t prune it regularly.
Information: When they say it grows everywhere, they mean it
grows everywhere. EVERYWHERE! On your lawn, in your house, on your windowsill,
in the kitchen cabinets… The only way to keep it from spreading everywhere
is to prevent it from happening in the first place. For example, let’s say you’ve
just moved into a nice Neohome in Neopia Central. The grass is fresh and green,
the walls are clean and white, and the roof doesn’t leak. That’s when you notice
some strange yellow stems amid the grass. Then, after a few more days, you spot
the stems closer to your Neohome. Eventually they will get inside your Neohome,
unless they are thoroughly pruned from day one.
F = Faerie Bean Plant
Rarity: 86
Description: This unusual plant will keep on growing taller as long
as you water it.
Information: These plants are extremely plentiful in Faerieland—especially
in Fyora’s splendid garden. Harrises love to climb and sleep on them, especially
the unusually tall ones. Assuming that you water it four times a week and de-bean
it daily, a Faerie Bean Plant will never stop growing. The tallest one recorded
is over six hundred feet tall.
G = Gloomacinth
Rarity: 89
Description: Add a bit of drabness to your colourful garden with some
Gloomacinths.
Information: Formerly called Joyacinths, these dreary flowers originated
in Terror Mountain. At one point in time they were colourful and full of joy,
but eventually, as Terror Mountain’s climate decreased in temperature, they
became drab and gloomy. No, they didn’t die, but they turned into half-dead
plants; flower zombies. It was then that their current name, Gloomacinth, was
assigned to them.
H = Heart Fruit Tree
Rarity: 101
Description: Add a wonderful chocolate scent to your garden with this
fragrant Heart Fruit Tree.
Information: Heart Fruit Trees are a rare species of tree that are only
able to grow in Neopia Central, which is quite convenient for many Neopians.
They only bloom during the Month of Awakening, which happens to be even more
convenient, as that is the month when Valentine’s Day occurs. This makes for
the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, although they are rather expensive.
I = Illusens Orb Plant
Rarity: 101
Description: This beautiful plant will make any garden look like a magical
paradise.
Information: The description would be true—if Illusen’s Orb Plant was
anywhere but Illusen’s Glade! That’s right, this is a one-of-a-kind, exceptionally
stylish plant. Illusen created it herself, using the orbs of an Orb Plant as
her main ingredient, so naturally it is a direct relative. Rumour has it that
there is another “Illusen’s Orb Plant” being created, but we’ll just see what
happens, shall we?
K = Kollie Flower
Rarity: 88
Description: A rather unusual cross between a vegetable and a flower.
Sure to get your neighbours talking!
Information: Actually, this plant is not uncommon at all. They are very
plentiful, especially in the farms of Meridell. They are also very inexpensive
and easy to raise. They look nice in your garden, and they taste good! This
half-vegetable, half-flower plant is all-purpose in every way!
L = Lazydels
Rarity: 79
Description: These flowers are so lazy you have to prop them up on sticks
to get them to stand up.
Information: Reminds you of a Boadaisy, eh? Although Lazydels, like
Boadaisies, need to be propped up with a stick, it is for an entirely different
reason. Lazydels are simply lazy, while Boadaisies are flimsy. It is a known
fact, however, that the two are very closely related.
M = Meepie Tree
Rarity: 79
Description: A fragrant interesting plant that will bring a sweet smell
to any garden.
Information: This plant is indeed interesting. Milky oils full of perfumed
bubbles glide through thousands of minute tubes within the tree, creating that
magnificent scent. The only person who does not like the aroma created by this
plant is Dr. Sloth, and plants don’t grow in outer space, so everyone is happy.
:)
N = Negg Muncher
Rarity: 90
Description: This greedy little plant will munch through all your Neggs
if you are not careful!
Information: Ah, but he'll also munch through the Neggs! No, wait...
Negg Munchers, though stable plants, are very hungry and violent. Don't be afraid
to put one in your garden, because they don't eat other plants. When your Neopets
cling to you for dear life, you’ll know that it's working perfectly.
O = Orb Plant
Rarity: 60
Description: Add an interesting feature to your garden. The Orb Plant
creates a dazzling light show as it reflects the suns rays.
Information: The interesting part about the Orb Plant is that it doesn't
blind any passing Tonu. Orb Plants should not be confused with any other orb
that might blow up with water, this orb GROWS with water! Be sure to get one
and dazzle your friends.
P = Pebeanjay Flowers
Rarity: 50
Description: Pebeanjays are hardy, all-rounders suitable for gardeners
of all abilities.
Information: They make me hungry... Pebeanjays first started growing
in Neopia Central. Mr. Ilff, the Food Shop Chia, found them growing in his garden
and thought they were weeds. Mr. Ilff then mixed them up with his peanut butter
and jelly sandwiches when he was serving customers, and accidentally fed them
those. To this day Pebeanjay Flowers are well-known tasty plants.
R = Rock Tree
Rarity: 60
Description: This tree is great for first time gardeners as it requires
virtually no care at all.
Information: Although it hardly requires any effort to take care of,
there are two things you must remember to do. It is a necessity to (1) plant
the Rock Tree among pebbles, and (2) pick the rocks off of the branches every
other week. If you do not pick the rocks, they will grow to be too large and
heavy, and the branches will snap off. A Rock Tree’s only food are stones and
pebbles.
S = Snake Rose
Rarity: 50
Description: Keep intruders at bay with these spooky looking Snake Roses.
They wriggle in the wind and look just like real serpents.
Information: No offense Neopets Team, but shouldn't it be called a Cobrall
Rose...? Whether it's that or the Donut Rose, it's still a marvelous sight to
see. Many think that Snake Roses are evil Petpets because they squirm so much,
and are terrified. I suppose if you gave it to Adam as a gift...
T = Tongue Tree
Rarity: 101
Description: GROSS!!!
Information: I agree with the Neopets Team on this one. The Tongue Tree
originates in the Haunted Woods, and although it is gross, it is nothing compared
with the Brain Tree. Some say the Brain Tree is the parent of Tongue Trees,
and their mother is the Stomach Tree... But those people also collect spoons
and juggle grandmothers.
W = Wiltadendhron
Rarity: 65
Description: Plant one near your house and you will soon have pretty tendrils
climbing up your walls.
Information: Wiltadendhrons are sturdy and slim, colorful and fruity,
and hard to spell! They were first grown in Mystery Island, where the heat got
to them and made them wilt. Wiltadendhrons tend to appear sad, but really aren't!
They're just tall, happy campers—er, flowers!
Y = Yolkalia
Rarity: 25
Description: This perennial beauty will brighten any garden with its
dazzling flame red petals.
Information: The Yolkalia flower is Neggy. Plain and simple Neggy. The
inside looks and tastes like a Negg's yolk, and it looks as if it were on fire,
which is how you cook a Negg. Veg the Health Nut Quiggle decided to visit Jhuidah’s
cooking pot with a Yellow Negg and a Fireball Negg, hoping for a healthy snack
for spicy-lovers, which is basically what resulted.
Z = Zobamints
Rarity: 68
Description: Mint so strong, that if you chew on it your teeth will
fall out! Very nice in beef stew!
Information: Mint beef stew? No, no. Zobamints are capable of so much
more. What's not to like about a Zobamint? It's got a fresh taste, a strong
colour, and a nice 8-character name. Being my personal favorite plant, you can
say we saved the best for last.
We've given you a list of our favourite plants, but there are oh so many more!
But, now it is your turn. Visit the Gardening Supplies Shop in Neopia Central
to purchase gardening supplies (duh). Arty the Blumaroo is always willing to
help.
Please note that all extra information is just for fun and is not intended
for use in book reports, essays, or refrigerators. Neomail either costa_rican_girl
or 0523ck with comments, fanmail, or water bottles!
FROM ROSE: Hey all! Thanks for reading the article that Patrick (0523ck) and
I wrote! Just so you all know, I wrote letters A through N, and Patrick basically
did the rest. I want to thank Patrick for collaborating with me, people at the
NTWF (you know who you are!), and everyone who read this article and/or any
other of my publications in the Neopian Times. I love getting letters from you,
so send ‘em in!
~Rose
FROM PATRICK: Nothing much to cover, as Rose has said it all. This is my first
article, so if you liked it, please let me know!
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