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    Schisandra

    Common · Schisandra chinensis

    Healing · Alchemical · Magical · Nutritional · Catalytic

    Terrain Forest, Hills, Mountains

    Description

    Schisandra vines can reach lengths of up to 50 feet (15 meters), spiraling around tree trunks in a strictly counterclockwise direction. When you rub the leaves, bark, or roots of the plant, a lemon scent is noticeable—hence the name "lemongrass" (though in English, it is commonly known as Schisandra or magnolia vine). The plant is especially beautiful in spring and autumn. In spring, white, waxy, and very fragrant flowers appear on its climbing stems, hanging on long, drooping stalks. In autumn, the vines are covered with dense clusters of bright red berries, making the entire plant resemble a grapevine. The berries remain on the vines even after the leaves have fallen. In open areas (like clearings or old burn sites), Schisandra may take the form of a bush or sprawl along the ground, picturesquely wrapping around stumps and logs.

    Location and Habitat

    Chinese Schisandra is found in the taiga regions of the Far East, as well as in China, Korea, and Japan. It grows in coniferousbroadleaf and mixed forests, on forest edges, slopes, and in mountain ravines.

    Rarity and Availability

    In its natural habitat, Schisandra is quite common and is not considered a rare species. In other regions, it is less common but is widely cultivated in gardens and is available as medicinal raw material and in prepared forms.

    Harvesting & Preparation

    • A DC 12 Wisdom (Nature) check or Wisdom (Survival) check identifies the climbing vine with lemonscented leaves and bark.
    • A DC 12 Dexterity (herbalism kit) check carefully gathers the delicate berries or seeds without damaging them. Failure might reduce their potency or yield.

    Items & Effects

    • Schisandra Tea. A gentle infusion of dried Schisandra berries.
      • Creation. Requires 1 hour to prepare, plus a DC 10 Wisdom (herbalism kit) check; one batch yields 1d4 servings.
      • Use (Ingested).
        • Vital Pick-Me-Up. For 8 hours, you have advantage on saving throws against effects that cause or increase exhaustion (e.g., forced marches, harsh weather).
        • Mild Alertness. For the same duration, you cannot be put to sleep by nonmagical means, and you reduce any existing level of exhaustion by 1 (once only).
    • “Radiant Eyes” Infusion. A concentrated brew of Schisandra seeds steeped for enhanced vision in low-light conditions.
      • Creation. Requires 8 hours of careful simmering and a DC 14 Intelligence (alchemist’s supplies) check or Wisdom (herbalism kit) check. One successful batch provides 2 doses.
      • Use (Ingested):Low-Light Adaptation: For 1 hour, you gain darkvision out to a range of 60 feet (or extend your pre-existing darkvision by 30 feet).
    • Schisandra Elixir of Vigor. A potent magical concoction rumored to replicate the legendary feats of taiga explorers.
      • Creation. Requires a specialized ritual involving the freshest berries, typically done during seasonal harvest. A DC 16 Wisdom (herbalism kit) check or Intelligence (Arcana) check is needed.
      • Use (Ingested).
        • Surge of Stamina. For 1 minute, you gain advantage on Strength and Constitution checks and saving throws.
        • Heightened Focus. During that minute, you gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls, reflecting your sharpened mental edge.
        • Revival Spark. If you are reduced to 0 hit points during this effect, you can immediately expend one Hit Die (if available) to regain hit points (no action required). Doing so ends the effect.
    • Schisandra Tonic of Wakefulness. A simple but effective brew for travelers and scholars.
      • Creation. Takes 2 hours to create, requiring a DC 12 Wisdom (herbalism kit) check. One batch yields 2d4 small vials.
      • Use (Ingested).
        • Temporary Wakefulness. For the next 4 hours, you remain fully alert and cannot gain exhaustion from missing sleep.
        • Mental Clarity. You can reroll one failed Intelligenceor Wisdom-based ability check during the effect’s duration; you must take the new roll.

    Lore

    The Latin name of the plant, Schisandra, comes from the Greek words for "split" and "man," relating to the structure of the schisandra flower. Its flowers are usually unisexual—either female or male. The plant can be both monoecious (having both male and female flowers on the same plant) or dioecious (having male and female flowers on separate plants).

    The genus Schisandra was first described in 1803 by André Michaux, who was studying the plants of North America. He included only one American species in this genus. Later, it was discovered that the genus comprises about 25 species, but all of them, except the one described by Michaux, grow in East Asia, predominantly in China.

    For a long time, Europeans knew nothing about the tonic properties of Schisandra, even though it has been used in Korean, Japanese, and especially Chinese folk medicine for about 15 centuries, ranking second only to ginseng. In these countries, Schisandra berries are known as "the fruit of five flavors": the pulp is very sour, the skin is sweet, the seeds have an unpleasant and pungent taste, and the whole berry is somewhat salty.

    From Witch’s Herbs 5E, p. 84 · Fern Flower Press