Mangrovecrystal

The Mangrovecrystal split from its ancestor. Like its close cousin, the Vesuvianite Tree, it has grown very tall and gained some additional branching. However, it is distinct in its own way—it has moved to the estuaries and shallows and, using its ability to rapidly bud from its roots, started forming massive mangrove-like clonal colonies. These colonies can sometimes break apart, with sections of them floating out to sea and dispersing to other landmasses globally, carrying small fauna which live among their branching roots with them. This makes them an extremely powerful disperser of small fauna, particularly genus groups. They can also settle down again in the shallows to form small islands as sediment gathers around them and the colony continues to grow. It cannot live submerged and depends on its ability to float to not drown when colonies break apart.

The Mangrovecrystal floats using internal air-storing tissue, which is also responsible for bringing oxygen to its submerged roots. Keeping them partially afloat even when anchored keeps the superficially grass-like aerial roots exposed to air, so that they may take in atmospheric nitrogen. It removes excess salt by storing it in some of its crystal leaves; more specifically, the soft core of a given crystal is what is filled with salt, while the outer shell continues to perform photosynthesis until its interior is completely filled. When this occurs, the crystal is shed.

The Mangrovecrystal forms a microclimate among its roots potentially capable of supporting large-ish fauna. Its roots, as well as the leaves atop each individual, are edible and capable of supporting nests. Colonies are functionally immortal, only dying when completely eaten, struck with disease, or injured to the point of sinking, as they keep budding new individuals constantly. Notably, they struggle to survive on islands created by Raft-Building Cone Puffgrass, as the “sediment” surrounding these islands are not what they adapted for.