Chapter 181 Amazing Plants

Besides these complex, strange, and rare plants, there is also a plant known locally as the Crystal Orchid, which is called the "flower of death."

There is a legend about the Monotropa uniflora: "The Monotropa uniflora's unique habits and magical appearance have led it to often appear as a ghost flower in traditional Chinese martial arts novels and legends."

It is either mythologized as a miraculous herb capable of bringing the dead back to life, or regarded as an evil entity with supernatural powers that can kill people invisibly. Even its fragrance is described as chilling, which may be the origin of its names "ghost grass" and "dream orchid." At the same time, some people call it a flower of the underworld, also known as the saprophytic flower.

In fact, the crystal orchid has neither the power to bring people back to life nor the ability to harm or kill them. It is a mild-tasting herb that is a folk remedy for treating weakness and chronic cough.

In nature, the ghost orchid is not a rare "ghost." As long as you know its habits and choose the right location and time, everyone can see its beauty. The best time to view the ghost orchid is generally around mid-April in the south, and slightly later in the north. The ghost orchids seen during this period are at their most perfect.

Too early, and the ghost orchid hasn't sprouted yet; too late, and it gradually ages, developing brown spots, making it impossible to appreciate its clear, transparent, dreamlike beauty.

The reason why the ghost plant (Monotropa uniflora) is called "Ghost Plant" is because, due to its inherent growth characteristics, it lacks chlorophyll and therefore cannot perform photosynthesis. So, instead of obtaining energy from sunlight, the ghost plant survives by parasitizing saprophytic fungi and absorbing nutrients from decaying leaves.

It is precisely because it can bloom with pure white flowers in dark environments that it has earned the nickname "ghost grass".

The "Ghost Plant," or Indian crystal orchid, is often associated with fantasy and magic, believed to be a miraculous herb capable of bringing the dead back to life. However, in reality, due to its appearance and habits, it's called the "Flower of Death" and is thought to be poisonous. In fact, the Indian crystal orchid is not as magical or fantastical as legend suggests; it does not possess the power to bring the dead back to life, nor is it poisonous or deadly. Reportedly, it is a folk remedy for treating chronic coughs and weakness; it is mild in nature and slightly salty in taste.

Hagang suddenly discovered that besides the messy fungi and the crystal orchid, the most prized of the four heavenly flowers, there were also...

Datura is often referred to as one of the four flowers of paradise, mainly because it is a poisonous flower. It is colorful and the whole plant is poisonous, with the seeds being particularly toxic. If accidentally ingested, poisoning symptoms can appear in as little as 20 minutes. Severe poisoning can lead to drowsiness, convulsions, or even death after 24 hours. Therefore, the toxicity of dtura should not be underestimated.

The terrifying allure of the datura flower in many people's minds is primarily due to its symbolic meaning. Datura flowers come in different varieties, each with its own distinct meaning. The datura flower has been mentioned in lists of the world's most terrifying flowers: purple datura symbolizes terror, blue datura symbolizes deceit and misplaced love, and black datura symbolizes unpredictable darkness, death, and relentless love and revenge—all conveying a chilling sense of dread.

The datura flower is known as one of the four heavenly flowers, possessing the ability to perceive the netherworld. The datura can transcend and awaken, manifesting boundless power, making it a flower that inspires fear in people.

The poppy flower is the flower of the poppy plant. As most people know, the poppy is the raw material for making opium. People who smoke opium will experience hallucinations and become addicted to it, eventually falling into a downward spiral. The poppy flower is the flower that produces this opium. In fact, the poppy flower is very beautiful, and beautiful things are basically poisonous. Therefore, the poppy flower is also regarded as a dangerous flower.

Its flower is indeed considered by many to be one of the four flowers of paradise, because in legend, the poppy has a seductive power that can lure us toward destruction. This kind of beauty is so powerful that it can make many people willingly succumb to it and head toward destruction, signifying a self-destructive pursuit of beauty.

The Lycoris radiata, also known as the red spider lily, is a white flower. It is commonly believed to be a flower that grows on the banks of the Sanzu River, guiding souls to the afterlife. Legend says its fragrance has magical powers, capable of evoking memories of the deceased's past life. According to legend, this flower volunteered to be cast into the heavenly prison but was sent back by the demons. However, it still lingers on the path of the underworld. The demons, unable to bear its plight, allowed it to bloom on this path, offering guidance and comfort to souls separated from the human world.

These flowers bloom in abundance along the Ghost Realm Road, appearing from afar like a carpet of blood. Because of their fiery red color, they are also known as the Path of Fire, a unique sight and color along this long Ghost Realm Road. When a soul crosses the River of Oblivion, it forgets everything from its previous life, leaving everything behind on this shore. The deceased then follow the guidance of these flowers to the Netherworld Prison.

In folk tradition, the three days before and after the spring equinox are called "Spring Equinox," and the three days before and after the autumn equinox are called "Autumn Equinox." These are days for visiting graves. The spider lily blooms during the Autumn Equinox, very punctually, hence its name. It mostly grows in fields, along riverbanks, and in cemeteries, thus it's also known as the "Dead Man's Flower." In autumn, it blooms with eerily elegant, almost dark red flowers; a field of spider lilies is a breathtaking crimson, like fire, like blood, like a raging inferno. The spider lily blooms for a thousand years, withers for a thousand years, its flower and leaves never meeting. Love is not bound by cause and effect, but fate is destined to exist and perish.

"It seems that all these plants, also known as the flowers of hell, are present! Flowers, like people, cannot be judged by their appearance! You see these poisonous flowers, which look very quiet and beautiful on the surface, but who would have thought that they contain deadly poison..." Hagang said with the air of a philosopher.

"That's absolutely right! This forest is amazing! It's home to so many different kinds of plants, it's like a living encyclopedia of plants or even a botanical museum! It's truly an eye-opener in this post-apocalyptic world! If it weren't for this unpolluted forest, we would never have been able to see the plants from before the apocalypse! Now, they're mostly mutated plants and animals..." Xu Que seemed to sigh with emotion.

Ha Gang carefully studied and observed the crystal orchid in front of him, and seemed to think that this orchid was similar to the yellow flower that he had planted in his backyard before the apocalypse.

Daylilies grown in your own backyard can be blanched in boiling water, then dried and stored for a long time.