Illustration of a curled up stem with triangular leaves that is slowly unfurling.
Safety Rating: Beneficial.
Environment: Tropical forests.
Details: Armadillo Vines grow on the sides of pathways, extending their long stems with their feathery leaves out into the sunny patch in the middle of the path. Whenever one of their leaves is touched, the whole vine will suddenly curl up, pulling itself out of harm’s way. Because Armadillo Vines often overlap each other, brushing up against the leaves of just one Armadillo Vine can cause a sequential reaction that clears an entire pathway. Then, once the pathway is again free of treading feet, the Armadillo Vines slowly uncurl themselves back out across the path.
The name Armadillo Vine comes from the scaly gray bark on this vine’s stems which make it look like an armadillo when it is curled up.
Lore: Because of their sensitivity to being touched, Armadillo Vines don’t grow next other types of moving plants. This makes them a useful tool for travelers looking to find safe routes through dangerous areas. The presence of open Armadillo Vines in a pathway is also an indication that nothing large has recently moved through that area.
Inspiration: The shy plant (mimosa pudica) that folds up its leaves when they are touched.
Armadillo Vine is part of the Crossroads Setting for the tabletop role-playing game, Magic Goes Awry. Click here to go to the list of wild and whimsical magical plants from the Land of Crossroads.
