I have taken up a hobby… coming up with my own imaginary species of plants. Sure, it is an odd hobby, but I really enjoy it.
I come up with Latin names and the science/history behind my plants. Its quite fun. It gets the creative juices flowing. People tell me I spend to much time on it, but doesn't everyone do that for their hobbies?

This topic, I suppose, will be my personal ‘field guide’ to my fictitious flora - but feel free to post your own!

Index of Fictitious Flora:
Aerial Luffbloom (Flora Nimbus)
Barbed Wirestem (Flora Knavus)

How you can do it too:
Think of a creative concept. Don't let reality confine you - be as creative and out-there as you want! You can do flowers, herbs, trees, fungi, algae, whatever!
Then, come up with information such as:
-Latin Name
-Species, Family, Genus, Order etc
-Botany
-Location
-Uses
-History
You can even draw your plant too!

Aerial Luffbloom
Flora Nimbus


Overview:

The Aerial Luffbloom (Flora Nimbus) is a species of flowering plant. They reside around the highest of hills. They have the unusual ability to fly using their petals and leaves.
Luffblooms come in white, yellow, orange and pink. A rare blue Luffbloom has been sighted.


Botany:

Their large wing-like leaves can do photosynthesis more efficiently than any other plant. They convert the sunlight to energy which they use to spin their three propellor-like petals. This helps it gain lift while flying, but they usually just drift around in the breeze. It uses its two tendril-like roots to absorb moisture from the clouds it floats through. It's pollen is very delicate and is said to smell faintly of raspberries - the wind it drifts on blows the pollen into the air, giving the atmosphere a naturally sweet scent. Many species of insect are attracted to this nectar. A recent study has shown that 1 in 100 people have an allergic reaction to the Luffbloom's pollen, making it near impossible for those individuals to reside in areas lush with Luffblooms. Within the air, a Luffbloom has an exceptional longevity; if there is sufficient moisture in the air they can live for up to 100 years. If its petals get damaged or it is stuck on the ground somehow, they wilt within a day. The petals are quite fragile, making this predicament not uncommon. Their leaves and stalk, however, contain a sap that can speed up the healing of the plant. This helps it withstand invasive insects, harsh weather and cold temperatures caused by the high altitudes they fly in.


Reproduction:

During the spring, Luffblooms will expel the healthiest of the three seeds found between the petals. This seed will drift in the wind until it lands on the grassy hills and is buried beneath the fertile soil. A seed only takes an hour to sprout but the flower will take many months to blossom. When the plant has grown enough and the petals are primed for flight, they use their two roots to expel themselves out of the ground and into the air to take their first flight.


Uses:

Their pretty appearance, pleasant smell and ability to fly makes these flowers a favorite amongst people - they are often kept around the house as decoration and an air-freshener. Domestic Luffblooms require much care - an air-moisturizer is needed to nourish the plant as well as sufficient light and air circulation for their flight to work.
Luffbloom nectar is a very common ingredient in perfumes and shampoos. These products are not recommended for those with a Luffbloom pollen allergy. Companies are legally required to place a warning on any product that uses Luffbloom nectar.
The sap of a Luffbloom, commonly called ‘Luffmilk’, can be extracted from the stalk and used medicinally - it has the same healing effects on animals as it does on itself. A known side-effect is a green tinge on the skin where it has healed; this usually wears off in a few weeks after healing. If it does not fade within a month it is advised that you see a doctor.


History and Folklore:

Historically, Luffblooms were thought to be fairies, due to their almost humanoid shape (their leg-like roots and arm-like leaves) and ability to fly. Many myths and folklore spawned from these magnificent plants.
When Luffblooms were first scientifically documented in 1967, many scientists debated on the name of this plant. The original documenter of Luffblooms called them ‘Lofty Cloudblossoms’, but the general public called it by its more well-know name, ‘Aerial Luffblooms’. This name eventually stuck and the name ‘Lofty Cloudblossoms’ died.




Hehe, I go into great depth. I strive to flesh out each individual plant to give it life. I treat it like it is real. That's all part of the fun
And… I'm aware I am a biology geek XD

I occasionally do this during brief fits of senility.

Barbed Wirestem
Flora Knavus


Overview:

The Barbed Wirestem (Flora Knavus) is a species of flowering plant. They grow at the base of the most treacherous mountains and cliffs. They have a composition of half plant and half metal.
They have the unique defense mechanism of having blades and spikes.


Botany:

Wirestems are covered in a coat of metal. This metal is composed of 73% iron and 27% tin. Its petals and leaves have sharp, serrated edges, making this plant very dangerous - resulting in a lack of predators. Their metal coat is formed as a seed. When they initially sprout, their roots absorb the minerals from the ground they are buried in. These minerals are converted in to an actual ore coating. Sprouts deprived of mineral-rich soil will either die immediately or will grow with a weak, fragile body. Their metal coat is reformed constantly, to avoid rusting or denting. Scientists are still trying to figure out how they get energy - the metal coat blocks out the sun, so it is presumed that they get energy from another source. One suggestion is that the constant conversion of the minerals to the metal coat itself creates enough energy to keep the plant alive.


Reproduction:

Wirestems have extremely small seeds, only measuring around 0.5 mm tall. These seeds are dropped by the plant and - because of their small size - get buried very deep underground. This is necessary because the most mineral rich soil is needed for them to gain their metal coat.


Uses:

Wirestems' dangerousness and unattractiveness result in these plants being very uncommon commercially. However, their metal coat is a constant source of freshly processed iron and tin. Wirestems are often farmed for their metal, as the leaves can be removed to gain the iron - new ones will regrow within weeks. Wirestems must be handled very carefully when being farmed.
Their stems are also used as wires and cables due to their conductivity and strength. Scientists are trying to use the roots to create a device that can convert the minerals in soil into metal.

I love doing this! I have some doodles that I haven't scanned yet but here are some of my wonderful creations (I haven't gotten as in-depth as you have but I think the concepts are pretty great)

- noseflower (flower that looks like a nose)
- weird trumpet shaped thing
- other weird thing that kind of looks like eastern blue curls but not really

they look better than they sound I promise

the noseflower one is probably my favorite because I think flowers shaped like other things are hilarious (dutchman's breeches are amazing)

Thats awesome, i sometimes do that, not in half as much depth. I prefere adding plants to made up animals though One animal i did had a strawberry plant attached to it's tail that it used to attract prey

Bump