Piomike

The piomike lives 3.20 km to 3.66 km above sea level on the western side of the Raptor Volcanic biome. As shown in the image above, it prefers sunny spots partly sheltered from the wind by ledges of rock. The piomike's thin, fuzzy leaves are densely packed, making each prong of the piomike resemble the windmuff of filmmaking microphones, hence the "mike" in the name "piomike". Their body plans are modified from their ancestor in that the leafy section of each prong starts much earlier on the prong. The leaves reduce heat loss by forming an insulating layer of air around each branch-like prong of the flora. Each leaf is encased in a very thin layer of cellulose, with a natural wax on each cellulose casing. The cellulose layer is ragged-looking on the microscopic level, like a human hair. The thinness of the leaves reduces water loss by reducing surface area. While the piomike's roots do collect water, it can collect additional water by absorbing the dew that collects on its fuzz. Piomikes never naturally drop their leaves, but the fuzz layer will regenerate if sliced off. (so the cutaway slice in the image above isn't lethal to the individual depicted.) The piomike's thorns are hidden within its thick layer of fuzz. As with their ancestor, they have nitrocycle symbiotes that provide them with nitrogen compounds they can use for their growth.