Pioneer Quillball

The pioneer quillball split from its ancestor the fuzzy beachballs. It has developed sharp quills to protect itself and large strong roots which it uses to break apart even the most tough soil. Its major success lies in its roots which allow for the growth of the nitrogen fixing microbe called the nixus. It has developed a symbiotic relationship with the nixus by creating nodules for them to grow in and in return the nixus produces a nitrogen compound that helps pioneer quillball grow. When pioneer quillball dies the fixed nitrogen is released making it available to other mountain flora and this helps to fertilize the rocky soil. In addition as pioneer quillball not only spreads nixus to new biomes but nitritus, nitratus and denitritus, thus completing the nitrogen cycle in barren biomes.