flora
22 entries
Explore the plants, gardens, and botanical knowledge of the realm.
Common Species
Chickens: Domesticated, egg layers, occasional meat Ducks: Water birds, eggs, meat, ornamental Quail: Small, eggs considered delicacy Pigeons: Urban d...
Ecosystem Balance
Food Chain: Cats are TOP of food chain (no predators) Cats mostly eat fish, vegetables, rice, processed foods Hunting instincts exist but are cultural...
Edible & Useful Trees
Cherry Trees (Sakura): Appearance: Grey bark, pink blossoms in spring, serrated leaves Edible: Blossoms (pickled for garnish), leaves (wrapping for sa...
Edible Plants
Rice (Kome): Staple crop, paddies create landscape Straw used for countless purposes Soy Plants (Daizu): Source of tofu, miso, soy sauce - fundamental...
Fauna (Animal Life)
Core Principle: Cats are the only sentient species in Neko-kuni. Other animals exist but are non-sentient (like animals in our world). Fish (Primary P...
Freshwater Fish
Carp (Koi) - Most common, various colors, some ornamental some food Trout, Salmon - River fish, migrate seasonally Eel (Unagi) - Delicacy, grilled wit...
Hikari-Take (Light Bamboo)
Appearance: Thin bamboo-like stalks with translucent sections Glow: Soft blue-green bioluminescence, brighter at night Uses: Harvested sections made i...
Hotaru-Hana (Firefly Flowers)
Appearance: Small bell-shaped flowers Glow: Yellow-gold bioluminescence, pulses gently Uses: Living lanterns (plants in glass containers), garden ligh...
Medicinal Plants (Non-Edible)
Mugwort (Yomogi): Wound healing, digestive aid Dokudami (Fish Mint): Anti-inflammatory, detoxifying Ginkgo: Memory enhancement, circulation Plus count...
Non-Edible but Useful Trees
Pine Trees (Matsu): Uses: Construction, resin for waterproofing, needles for tea (medicinal) Cultural: Symbol of longevity Cypress (Hinoki): Uses: Pre...
NOT Present
No cockroaches (unpleasant) No parasitic insects that would affect cats Birds: Important Note: Birds exist but are completely non-sapient. They're use...
NOT Present in This World
Dogs: Don't exist (too complicated thematically) Large predators: No lions, tigers, bears (cats are the dominant species) Any animals that would threa...
Ornamental Plants
Garden Shrubs: Azalea, Camellia, Hydrangea Important Flowers: Peony, Chrysanthemum, Iris (symbolic meanings) Vines: Morning Glory, Wisteria (decoratio...
Present but Managed
Mosquitoes, Flies - Exist but controlled through cleanliness and natural predators Butterflies, Moths - Pollination, enjoyed aesthetically Beetles, Dr...
Saltwater Fish (Coastal)
Sea Bream (Tai) - Prized, celebratory fish Mackerel (Saba) - Common, oily fish, good preserved Sardines (Iwashi) - Small, schooling, cheap and nutriti...
Semi-Domestic/Wild Small Mammals
Mice, Rats: Controlled as pests but complex history (cats hunted them in old world) Mostly wild, considered pests Cats have complicated feelings (inst...
Tsuki-Kusa (Moon Grass)
Appearance: Grass with silver-edged leaves Glow: Pale white luminescence, responds to moonlight (brighter on full moon) Uses: Garden decoration, mild...
Useful Insects
Silkworms: Cultivated for silk production (moths don't fly, fully domesticated) Bees: Honey production, pollination, wax for candles and sealing Crick...
What Cats Eat (Summary)
Staples: Rice (every meal) Fish (primary protein) Vegetables (variety) Soy products (tofu, miso, soy sauce) Seaweed (common ingredient) Treats: Seafoo...
Wild Mammals
Deer, Boar: Exist in forests, not hunted (cats are small, dangerous prey) Foxes, Tanuki (Raccoon Dogs), Badgers: Wild animals, occasional conflict wit...
Working Animals - Special Case
Horses (Uma): Used for pulling carts and agriculture NOT ridden (too large for cat-sized riders, impractical) Relationship is respectful partnership,...
Yūrei-Kinoko (Ghost Mushrooms)
Appearance: White mushrooms with delicate gills Glow: Eerie green luminescence Uses: NOT edible, decorative only, sometimes medicinal (external use) L...