Fire-grass, also known as "Settler's Surprise", is a short, perennial grass native to the arid regions of New Promise.  Fire-grass has light blue-green leaves, and in the early summer produces small, white flowers.  Its most notable property is that which gives it its name.  The leaves of fire-grass contain a chemical that reacts violently with uric acid, bursting into flames when coming into contact with the substance.  Most animals in the regions where fire-grass grows do not excrete uric acid. 

When New Promise was first settled, several explorers, answering nature's call outdoors, were surprised to discover that they had inadvertently started grass-fires by doing so.  As farming and ranching operations expanded on the planet, extra care had to be taken to avoid the placement of animal-pastures in areas with fire-grass, and anyone needing to relieve themselves out-doors had to be careful of the vegetation. 

Fire-grass became a profitable export for the planet, being sold dried in sealed packets in kits of survival gear, as a means of starting a fire in an emergency.