Redbell
Redbells are a type of flowering plant, endemic to the mountains of Montesuvia in La Rossa. Perennial in nature, the flowers bloom in the Summer of each year, and are highly sought after during this period. The sweet nectar produced by its characteristic red flowers is extremely valuable due to the plant's rarity, and is enjoyed by many of the island's nobility. The plant has become one of the nation's rare luxury exports, and is featured on its flag, becoming a widely adopted national symbol in the past fifty years.
Description
Redbells are a perennial plant which blooms in summertime, when it grows a single bright red flower, marked with its distinct five petals. The individual petals grow to about 4cm in length. As it grows in size, the flower begins to hang downwards from its stem, leading to the slow drip of its nectar.
The plants are known to be bulbous, however, attempts at replanting them in order to grow them closer to the coast have been unsuccessful. The plants are not used to most climates, and even minor differences in altitude and soil have been shown to induce wilting.
Usage
The plant's sugar-rich nectar has for centuries seen use among Rossans. Believed to have developed in order to attract pollinators into the harsh mountains, it has also attracted the attention of the humans living on the island. Its taste described as sickeningly sweet. Apart from only sugars, the nectar has been identified to also contain significant amounts of sweeteners many times stronger than sugar. Although it is too potent to be consumed on its own, and can often lead to nausea, the nectar is traditionally diluted with larger quantities of water, allowing for only a few small drops to sweeten a full glass. The flower's red dye, extracted with either water or alcohol, is often added to the drink, despite having no taste.