Lyav
From FrathWiki
| Lyav | |
|---|---|
| World | Galhafan |
| Domain | Paleoeukaryota |
| Kingdom | Paleoplantae |
| Phylum | |
| Class | |
| Legion | |
| Order | |
| Suborder | |
| Family | Valibaceae |
| Genus | Valibi |
Lyav (Valibi seminis, ékwà yùñè ima cha-yùñè, "Seed lyav from [those] like lyav"), from the Classical Kasshian walībi, is a major staple crop on Galhaf, a native of the planet. In some contexts, it can refer to a group of several related crops, or the lyav proper. In this article, "lyav" refers to the standard flower-head variety.
Contents |
Appearance and Cultivation
The lyav proper is an annual plant, though other varieties (as well as its wild ancestor) were perenniels. The plant itself is a tall flowering plant, with a single large head. The head is a bright yellow flower, resembling an Earth Sunflower. Most modern varieties must be staked due to the weight of the head. After the flower has bloomed, the entire head can be eaten, although it is more common to remove the seeds to thresh into a kind of meal. The leaves are also edible. Purely ornamental varieties have also been developed.
Lyav is planted after the last spring frost, and is generally ready for harvest in 100-150 days, depending on the variety. The wild form generally grew to around 6-10 feet in height, but most modern varieties grow to only about 5 feet in height, devoting most of their energy to seed production. Traditionally, only the head was harvested, while the edible (but less pleasant-tasting) leaves and stalks were left for landless poor. In famine times, however, that custom was often ignored.
Uses
The head can be used for many purposes. It can be cooked and eaten by itself, but more commonly, the seeds are removed by threshing. The remaining head is used as animal feed, while the seeds are ground into a meal, which can be prepared in a number of ways.
History
The original wild ancestor had a much smaller head, larger leaves, and an underground tuber. Several other crops have been derived from the same ancestor, emphasizing the leaves or tuber. The lyav was first domesticated by P. kalpanis tribes, and subsequently adopted by early humans.
Cultural Significance
The vilyav was historically the main staple of the Kasshi and other northwestern Odiran cultures, though in the days of the Second Kasshi Empire, rice was encountered in southern regions, and came to gain some importance, particularly in southern parts of the Empire, where the climate was more conducive to growing rice. The term is often used to refer to food in general, much like bread in Western civilizations of Earth, or rice in Eastern civilizations.
