Airbulbs

Airbulbs were the most widely spread specialized flora on Mason, and the main food source for land based fauna. Like all other life on Mason, they are now extinct.

Anatomy
Airbulbs generally consist of a long stalk, with a smaller "bulb" filled with ammonia generated by a symbiosis with nitroids at the top. Some species consist almost entirely of a bulb, while others have evolved leaflets on the stalk.

Behavior
Airbulbs will release ammonia from their bulbs during the night, causing them to come closer to the ground. This minimizes heat loss during the long, cold mason night, which can last up to two weeks, and helps dissipate heat and increase photosynthesizing area during warmer times.

Breathing and Blood
Airbulb respiration is similar to that of Earth plants; carbon dioxide is used in photosynthetic reactions that release oxygen into the atmosphere.

Diet & Energy
Airbulbs absorb violet light, making them appear yellow.

Evolution
The airbulb evolved from the gildbowl.

Reproduction
To reproduce, airbulbs fill their central bulb with spores. The organism then either releases the spores along with the ammonia, or simply detaches the bulb.

Size
The largest airbulbs are the towering stiltbulbs, which grow to the heigh of two meters, while the smallest ones are the microscopic airbulbs, progenitors of this line. Most airbulbs, however, grow to about 2 centimeters in height.