Horse Radish

A literal take on the word 'horse-radish'. This picture inspired a mandrake challenge on Elfwood.

“The ‘Horse-radish’ is a most curious creature, for most of its life is spent underground much like a common vegetable. But if one were to dig it up one would find a most extraordinary sight, for its appearance bears a remarkable likeness to that of an unborn foal or calf. Many of these ‘embryonic seedlings’ must fall prey to the appetites of rabbits, cows and other grazing beasts. It has been speculated that these creatures, being neither truly plant nor animal, live for less than a year. With the last new moon of Summer, by which time they have reached full maturity, they uproot themselves and take flight across the fields. Mature individuals are similar in size to the rabbit and appear to need no sustenance. It is during this one night that the seeds of all future ‘horse-radishes’ are sown. Sadly there has been a marked decline in the numbers of this unique creature in recent years.” An unknown naturalist; 1852.

There is a remade version here:[link]