Quillblades
| Quillblades | ||
|---|---|---|
| (Valadanis leptokentron) | ||
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| 22/140, Habitat Loss (Generation 140) | ||
| Information | ||
| Creator | Somarinoa Other | |
| Week/Generation | 15/100 | |
| Habitat | Huggs-Yokto Savanna, Huggs-Yokto Desert, Rabid Sandstone Caves | |
| Size | 17-20 cm Tall | |
| Primary Mobility | Sessile | |
| Support | Unknown | |
| Diet | Photosynthesis | |
| Respiration | Passive (Stomata) | |
| Thermoregulation | Ectotherm | |
| Reproduction | Sexual (Resistant Seeds, Airborne Spores), Asexual Budding | |
| Taxonomy | ||
| Domain Kingdom Subkingdom Division Class Order Family Genus Species | Eukaryota Phoenoplastida Phoenophyta Rhagioanthia Phoenopoopsida Phoenopoales Valadanaceae Valadanis Valadanis leptokentron | |
| Ancestor: | Descendants: |
|---|---|
The quillblades split from their ancestor, the spikeblades, and now grow in passive competition with their 'mother' race; however, it has not replaced it, and now provides the area with another plant to feast upon. At the same time, it has successfully spread into the Rabid Sandstone Caves, carried there by seeds by small herbivorous predators.
The exterior of their leaves has become very waxy, to let little to no water out, and much of the lower section of each leaf can now expand some to retain as much water as possible, making it look rotund during wet seasons. However, the upper portions of each leaf will not retain water, and is used as its defense, instead, in the form of very sharp needles, in the same way as the spikeblades. Unlike their ancestors, however, it has adapted a small fibrous "sac" near the tip that contains a very weak poison, that causes nausea in most cases. This is aided by a tiny hole from the very tip to this "sac", while the "sac" itself secretes its mild poison due to a weaker section of the plant just behind it, that folds upon itself to essentially squeeze the "sac" to push its contents up and out. This area will only fold in on itself through pressure pushing down on it, such as will happen if an organism accidentally comes into contact with the leaf's needle.
To breed, the needle-like leaf points at certain times of the year will grow a small seed in a hollowed portion created as the poison sac is converted, and then the fibers holding it to the original plant will weaken, yet not fully deteriorate. In this weakened state, the needles are more likely to snap off of the plant as an animal accidentally stabs itself with one, at which point it can be carried by that animal some distance from the original plant before eventually working its way out of the animal's body to drop onto the ground. With a seed located within the needle, they are capable of growing an entirely new plant successfully, although it requires some water to begin to grow, otherwise it will remain in a dormant state for many, many years, if need be. In the caves, the plant is likely to begin life so long as it is dropped either near the underground rivers flowing within or closer to the entrance, where a sudden rain may hit it.
While the seeds cannot be converted back into poison sacs should they not get taken quickly enough, those that are taken will have the needle-tips regenerated, fully complemented with their poison sacs. Remaining seeds will stay attached to the plant until removed, thereby giving them a better chance to spread their population. It can also multiply through airborne spores and asexual budding, like its ancestors.
Living Relatives (click to show/hide)
