Phoenix Tubes

Splitting from its ancestor, the phoenix tubes have adapted to life in salt water, and have evolved accordingly. An evolutionary defensive feature is the formation of collar around its reproductive organs. While during the day they are extended out of them, they will retract at night for protection. Its "skin" is tougher in order to prevent damage. They attach to all available surfaces that receive plenty of sunlight during the day. They reproduce a cloud of irritating spores every six months, tainting the surrounding water a slight orange. Once the spores have found a safe spot to grow, they eventually reach maturity within three months. They tend to grow in thick clusters with each main stalk possessing three or four secondary side "heads". It retracts and extends it leaves via pumping water either out or in, based on the circumstances.