The Meyntach (mAn-tak) is a strange weed possessing an even stranger power. At first glance it is just another weed, disposable and harmful to other plants. Upon closer inspection, it is not as normal as it may appear to be. Once the weed reaches maturity, it will catch on fire. Thus making the Meyntach more than just your average weed.
Overview:
The Meyntach weed is relatively common as far as weeds go. Like most most of its kind, the Meyntach is not picky as to where it grows, and is most often found in unattended gardens, along with the occasional one or two showing up on a path through the forest. The weeds themselves look similar to other types of weeds, and they bear a similarity to grass, but there are several ways to tell them apart from the rest. For example, someone with enough training in auristics will find that the aura around these plants is not the same as that of a normal weed. A trained aurist would find that the plant seems to actually possess emotion, and that emotion is always anger. For non-aurists the plant can be recognized by the small red tip that is warm to the touch. The color and temperature is caused by a special chemical that is only kept at the very tip.
The origin of the name "Meyntach" is not known, and scholars speculate that any reference to the reason for the name was only in books written before the Valterrian. No known books on the subject have been found thus far. At least not any books that are in a readable condition. For that reason, and because of the plant's seemingly magic properties, the weed is often referred to as Fireweed in present times. This 'magic' relates to the chemical stored in the tip of the plant, and there are two ways to trigger its spectacular properties. The first is the natural way: when a Meyntach weed reproduces, it expels a special liquid that has a job of key importance throughout the plant's life. This liquid prevents the chemical in the weed's tip from flowing downwards into the rest of the plant. During the reproduction process, the chemical is released. This highly toxic substance ignites the weed from the inside out as it travels towards the roots, creating a sparking effect.
The second way is to force the plant to ignite, which is both unnatural and highly dangerous. Using a tool like a tweezer or fine-nosed pliers, an extremely skilled herbalist may be able to squeeze the tip of the Meyntach weed and force the chemical out prematurely. This achieves the same effect as the plant's reproduction processes, but is not advised for the obvious dangers of being so close to a burning Fireweed, which could cause severe 2nd degree burns against those who have no protection against it. The effect, however, is contained enough so as not to set the surrounding forests ablaze.
The Meyntach, this one has been prepared for disposal
Usage:
Because of the considerable risk involved not only in forcing Fireweed to go through its reproductive processes prematurely, but being within close contact of the plant, activating Fireweed is not recommended except for highly skilled herbalists. In capable hands, however, the Meyntach is not without its uses. First of all, it is a natural fire starter. It can be used to light a fire in the absence of flint and steel. Fireweed can also be used for entertainment purposes by fire dancers, although it requires a great deal of caution and creativity on the dancer's behalf. A final way to use the Meyntach is simply to get rid of it. To properly dispose of Fireweed a gardener should cut the weed from three millimeters below the warm, red tip.
Biology:
A mature Meyntach will be between 8 and 11 centimeters long. As mentioned above, the weed is not particularly picky as to where it grows. Although, you will never find Fireweed in a cold area. Also, the plant is most common in moderate to hot regions, such as certain parts of Syliras. There is never a season when the weed is not present in Mizahar, although they lie in a dormant state through winter. During spring Fireweed thrives, and by the end of the season it will have bloomed. By the middle of summer all the mature weeds will have gone through their reproduction process where they will die as they spread their tiny seeds through the air. After that the cycle will begin again.
