Cocoprong

The pinprongs of the Dixon Savanna biome were hardy and had high reproductive rates, allowing them to spread into the Blood Salt Marsh. They were relatively quickly replaced by their specialized descendants, the cocoprongs, which then expanded their range into the Blood Tropical River. Like coconuts, cocoprongs are able to float. They can float as buds or as adults, but the adults can survive longer afloat because of their energy reserves. These energy reserves consist of a swollen lower stem filled with starch. This stem is similar to a potato's tuber, but unlike potatoes, its stem is not underground. Cocoprongs' roots are normally hidden underground, which is why the image does not depict them. Cocoprongs can shed their roots in times of flood. This is necessary to survive flooding, for cocoprongs are too small to poke above floodwaters and cannot survive submersion for too long. (To be specific, "too long" would be about twelve hours.) While at the top of the floodwaters, they will survive on minerals stored in their roots and perform photosynthesis as usual. The shed roots are a food source for any herbivorous scuttlers that can tolerate brackish water. Their spikes have internal spaces filled with air, which helps keep them afloat and upright. The tuft-like leaves of the cocoprong produce a waterproofing exudate (fluid) so they do not become waterlogged. Cocoprongs exist in such density that some branches of the Blood Tropical river can be entirely clogged with cocoprongs brought in from floodwaters. If there is enough dead and decaying matter in such areas, under the right conditions the water can gain a jelly-like consistency from all the dead shelpads. When this happens, local scuttlers can "walk on water" while searching for food or non-jellied water.