Prongoli

The prongoli differs from its ancestor in that the three prongs of its ancestor have become thicker and spaced closer together and the fuzz-leaves are shorter and thicker. These traits make it resemble broccoli, hence its name. Its genes for fuzz-leaf shape are linked to genes for thorn development. Consequently, changes to fuzz-leaf shape have left its thorns vestigial, making them little more than gritty bits in the leaf clusters. On the Raptor Volcanic habitat, the prongoli lives up to 3,100 meters above sea level. While it still has strong roots that can break apart tough soil, the prongoli is not as hardy as its relatives. It can only live in established, biomass-rich communities at low elevations, and only thrives in sunny areas. It is often found near quaxacas and fuzzyfans, for the quaxacas capture phosphorus and the fuzzyfans' roots are very efficient at fixing nitrogen. Though it has tender stems and is fairly nutritious, herbivores are reluctant to eat it. This is due to the prongoli's pungent, sulfurous chemicals, which make it smell similar to steamed broccoli and taste bitter. Consequently, when herbivores are going through fields of quaxaca and fuzzyfans, prongoli are often surrounded by a ring of bare soil or cropped flora.