Belay Crystalroot

The belay grovecrystal split from its ancestor when some individuals move into Darwin Alpine. Its main difference from its ancestor is its root structure. Its roots are spiky projections that give the individual a footing in its precarious habitat. The part of the root that is exposed is darker in color to help absorb heat, which is channeled into the roots to help melt the frigid ground. The crystal is concave to minimize volume and thus reduce water loss in the dry atmosphere.

Individuals live for 20 years. When they are ready to reproduce, they begin to grow 3-4 vine-like extensions from the main body. These grow out 3-4 meters from the parent or until the vine end senses a horizontal patch of ground, then a new crystalgrove begins to grow, the whole process taking about 5 months. During this time the sprout will take energy from the parent, after maturing the sprout will shut off this "lifeline" and will continue to grow until it is ten years old before repeating the process.