Ministalk

The ministalk split from its ancestor the orange spore stalk. It is almost identical to its ancestor except it is twice as small. It survived on the harsh tundra by growing very slowly and staying dormant when times are harsh. Due to their black color they absorb more heat and thus melt some of the snow around them allow fro them to gain energy even during the shortest days of the year. Their spores which are still spread by the wind and are still kept inside a chamber placed on top of its stalk which is opened once the chamber is filled with spores. The spores can form thick orange clouds able to choke small animals like its ancestor before it, only, the ministalk is even more numerous and the spores can choke bigger animals. Their roots drink the melted ice and have a special anti-freeze solution in them that keeps ice crystals from forming inside them. It also has a special adaptation its spores can last for years frozen in the ice. When thawed they can start growing.