Discovered in the early decades of Emerald’s settlement and migration phase, the Roska Apricot was the second native fruit-bearing species catalogued by humans, following closely behind the infamous Killer Quinn. Bearing a striking resemblance to the Prunus armeniaca genus of Old Earth, the Roska’s scent evokes the familiar aroma of Armenian apricots once cultivated in the ancient Ararat Plain.
In pre-Exodus times, apricots were not only the national fruit of Armenia but a cultural symbol, frequently appearing on souvenirs and folklore. During the Genesis Era of Interstellar Travel, apricot trees were transplanted to Vishapakar, a settled colony world, where the Chinese and Western Asian communities continued associating the fruit with wisdom, medicine, and education.
The Roska Prunus is a towering species that thrives in the hyperoxygenated biome zones of Emerald. Fully matured, it stands between 12 and 28 meters tall, with a trunk that can reach 58 centimeters in diameter. Its canopy is dense and wide-spreading, providing shade and shelter in the otherwise dry landscapes it prefers.
Leaves are ovate in shape, approximately 11 cm long and 4–8 cm wide, with rounded bases, tapered tips, and finely serrated edges. Its flowers bloom in early spring, white to pale pink petals, 2–6.5 cm in diameter, usually appearing singly or in pairs before leaf emergence.
The fruit itself is a large drupe, reminiscent of a peach but in gargantuan scale, ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 cm on younger trees, though older growths have yielded Roskas approaching the size of coconuts. Skins are typically yellow to orange but rarily green to cyan, with deep red tinges on sunward sides, and can be either smooth or finely velvety. Flesh is succulent, juicy, and complex in flavor, ranging from sweet to sharply tart. However, in Emerald’s more hostile climates, the fruit may develop a rock-hard texture, resistant even to biting.
At the heart lies a single, large seed, encased in a stone-like shell with a distinctive triple ridge. Once cracked open, the inner kernel is edible, much like its Old Earth counterpart, though significantly larger and richer in cyanide—approximately 1.5 times the concentration found in typical apricot pits. Though not as toxic as the Killer Quinn, the Roska seed still warrants caution.
In a 100-gram raw sample, Roska flesh delivers roughly 98 Calories, composed of 21% carbohydrates, 5% protein, <3% fat, and 86% water. It is a moderate source of both vitamin A and vitamin C (each at 19% Daily Value).
Once dried, Roskas undergo dramatic compositional change, 63% carbohydrates, 31% water, 4% protein, and negligible fat. Micronutrient concentration increases as well, with vitamin A, vitamin E, and potassium all reaching rich levels exceeding 28% of Daily Value.
Emerald’s hyperoxygenated atmosphere significantly affects Roska physiology. Unlike Earth apricots, which favor moderate climates and nutrient-dense soils, Roska trees flourish in dry, desolate environments, often growing near desert biomes or far from any standing liquid.
Due to these adaptations, the fruits grow to immense proportions, making them a hearty, calorie-dense food source ideal for frontier survival. Interestingly, while Earth-based hybrids like Pluots were artificially engineered, Roska exhibits a naturally occurring variation, its flesh tinted with a bluish-green gradient and a blood-red core surrounding a peach-like seed. These variants are especially prized for both aesthetic and nutritional value.
Much like the fruit itself, apricot traditions from Old Earth took root on Emerald. In villages scattered far from the capital, local farmers began experimenting with domestication and selective cultivation—not only of Roska, but also of other native crops like Azure Berries and Petal Wheat.
In contrast to the sterile efficiency of industrial farms, these community-owned microfarms produced what many consider the finest Roska varieties on the planet, sweeter, healthier, and more flavorful. Their success led to a cultural boom in traditional jam-making, giving rise to the now-celebrated “Gargantuan Roska Paste”, a thick preserve beloved across Emerald.
Another tradition that emerged was the sun-drying. Farmers would halve the Roskas, revealing their syrupy interiors and grenade-like seeds, then lay them out on cloth sheets beneath the hot sun. The process created naturally dried Roskas, rich in sugars and flavor, forming a key component in seasonal dishes and long-duration rations for travelers and pilgrims.
Over time, dried Roskas became an indispensable staple for Voidwalker teams long-range explorers, scouts, and engineers operating in deep space and uncharted sectors. Their dense nutritional profile, extended shelf life, and resistance to spoilage made them a trusted source of sustenance aboard vessels where supply chains could not be guaranteed.
Unlike many synthetic alternatives, dried Roskas do not degrade under standard cryogenic or vacuum-sealed conditions, earning them a near-sacred place in Voidwalker survival kits.