Do you have a fairly thorough idea of what the colony's plant life is capable of? Because I'm thinking that silkworms (and the mulberry bushes they feed upon) might be a good idea, as well as rubber trees. Also if you need something quick-growing that has multiple applications, hemp is good stuff, though your characters' opinions may vary.
Bananas/plantains could make a good staple foodstuff.
I'm guessing that you'll want a source (or a few sources) of caffeine or other stimulants, some things that ferment well to make alcohol (which has industrial and some medicinal applications beyond simply intoxicating people), a range of pain relief options, etc.
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Date: 2010-10-20 03:23 am (UTC)Do you have a fairly thorough idea of what the colony's plant life is capable of? Because I'm thinking that silkworms (and the mulberry bushes they feed upon) might be a good idea, as well as rubber trees. Also if you need something quick-growing that has multiple applications, hemp is good stuff, though your characters' opinions may vary.
Bananas/plantains could make a good staple foodstuff.
See also the Wiki pages on herbalism and plants used as medicine.
I'm guessing that you'll want a source (or a few sources) of caffeine or other stimulants, some things that ferment well to make alcohol (which has industrial and some medicinal applications beyond simply intoxicating people), a range of pain relief options, etc.