Acidpear

The acidpear (Citrus pyriformis) is a citrus of the desert on Damta. It belongs to the family Rutaceae.

Acidpears are trees averaging 10-14 meters in height. They have oval leaves and alternately arranged leaves. As perennials, they are well adapted to the heat and aridity of the desert. Acidpear trees blossom in the early spring. The acidpear is evergreen.

Acidpears are monoecious, with female flowers and male flowers on the same plant. The flower is a white blossom with yellow specks on it.

The acidpear tree produces a sour, pear-shaped fruit. The peel of the acidpear is yellowish, and its flesh is yellowish-green. The fruit of the acidpear has been known since antiquity, when the Txabao, Prömkhongkhong, and other desert peoples would eat it for its vitamin C. Like other citrus fruits, it has citric acid. The biggest acidpear fruit ever grown weighed 44 kilograms! The ancient Txabao knew the fruit as mekra, wherefrom they derived the adjective mekru (sour, a seven-ending adjective). This word was borrowed as the Bokisig language evolved, creating a new semantic distinction in Bokisig between "sour" and "bitter". Acidpear peels can be used to make incense, to scent candles, or to garnish delicacies. Preserves and candied fruits are also made from the acidpear.

The smell of an acidpear's flesh is extremely repellent to the deathstalker. As a result, many desert inhabitants spray their bodies with acidpear juice if they have to walk through an area where the deathstalker is known to lurk.