Submission (#4902) Approved

In the scorching desert of Ahza, an old species has been rediscovered. Known as the "Sunrise Blossom," this hardy plant can withstand even the harshest of droughts. Its deep roots burrow deep into the ground, seeking out water and sustenance from even the driest of soil.

The Sunrise Blossom's beauty is as resilient as its roots. Its vibrant orange petals start to bloom just as the sun rises over the desert, and remain open until the heat of the day sets in. Its petals, velvety to the touch, are arranged in a perfect circular pattern and have a unique texture, which allows dew drops to cling to it even longer than normal. The center of the flower is a vibrant yellow, that tapers towards to end, leaving long lines of yellow in the middle of the otherwise orange petals. During the day, these petals close tightly, conserving moisture and energy for the next sunrise. For this purpose, the outer layer of the petals has a protective wax-like layer, protecting the petals from heat and sandstorms.

The stem of the Sunrise Blossom is a pale green color, with variants of beige and white in it that are speckled all over the stem. The plant does not grow very tall, just enough to allow a cool breeze to circulate beneath its small leaves. The stem is wiry in texture and quite flexible, to resist the strong winds without breaking. The deep roots are able to anchor the plant in almost every ground.
The plant does not have a strong scent, and its petals are not edible. But the stem is able to hold small amounts of water and can be used as a water source in a dire situation.

The Sunrise Blossom is a sturdy plant, able to withstand the scorching heat of the sun and the dry, dusty winds that are common in the Ahza region. It adapted over the past centuries to use said winds to grow all across the desert; using wind pollination to spread its seeds to the furthest regions of Ahza.

Due to the harsh conditions, Sunrise Blossoms do not grow in clusters, but as individuals, scattered across the dunes, so the limited resources are used to fully support the strongest seed that grows. As many other desert plants, the Sunrise Bloom is no exception when it comes to resource management and its seeds are able to stay in the ground for years, hibernating and waiting for ideal conditions to bloom.