Branching Qupe Tree

The branching qupe tree replaced its ancestor the towering qupe tree. It has doubled in size and has developed branches. It has spread across the Dixon-Darwin-Vivus landmass. Like its ancestor it has pink fruit which help attract fauna to help spread its seeds. It has adapted to living in more sandy or salty environments like the beaches and wetlands as well as the poor soil of rainforests. Its towering branches compete with the other trees in the area by bending and growing around other trees. It also provides shelter and nesting sites for flying or climbing fauna. Like their ancestor their rubbery leaves can catch rainwater so fauna do not have to go to the ground or drink brackish water at the beach or salt wetlands. They take about a year to mature and will fruit every 4 months in the tropics. Their leaves are bitter but their fruit is sweet and tastes like mangoes. When in a salty environment they can store excess salt in a leaf and then have it fall off to prevent them from getting too much salt. Its trunk and branches are both flexible and strong, so much so that they can survive hurricanes. The leaves can grow back quickly after being blown off or eaten by herbivores. Its quick recovery is key to its success compared to larger trees which it must compete with.