Chrystabell

Common name: Chrystabell

Scientific Name: ​Nicotiana aurum Chrystabells are golden bell-shaped flowers of the tobacco family, and a manmade human hybrid. They were bred originally to provide a companion plant source of neonicotinoid alkaloids to act as a pest deterrent among crops. The alkaloid proved to be too effective, killing off pollinators. In a bid to salvage the expensive hybrid, Gaiacore Agricultural Solutions studied possible medical benefits of the alkaloid, isolating and naming it P99-D. It proved to have strong stimulating effects, and was marketed as a pharmaceutical stimulant in raw form until a small population showed adverse psychotic events. Gaiacore then changed its isolation and enrichment procedures, performing them in Zero-G to avoid the formation of stereo isomers. This alkaloid, known as “Gold Dust,” may only be sold by a licensed and accredited pharmaceutical company, with adequate record-keeping and best practice procedures. Its status was changed to a Grade-3 Pharmaceutical Consumable and Grade-1 Agricultural Pesticide. Gold Dust may only be sold for the purposes of short-term pesticides in agriculture, and to be added to consumable products. Chrystabell itself can be bought by and from anyone, in any amount.

Chrystabells are a common cash crop on the frontier, as they can be bought and sold with impunity, and they are worth a great deal of money. They grow well on Earth-like planets in the Pollux Corridor, due to the mineral contents often found in the soil.