Lychnus Tree
"...I'll never forget when I first caught sight of those brilliant leaves glowing in all the colors I could imagine. I only wish that I didn’t need to travel to The Hollow to see it..."
Basic Information
Anatomy
The lychnus tree has several traits that allow it to thrive in the Hollow. It can reach a height of 5 miles and can grow as wide as a city block. It has very smooth bark that has a deep purple hue to it. The inner wood in contrast is very white, appearing almost bleached. The roots of the tree can reach depths almost as far as its canopy with the ability to split bedrock in order to keep growing down. Branches grow around the tree in a conical pattern with branches growing shorter the higher up the tree they are located. The leaves are needle shaped and nearly transparent. Each of the needles start emitting a colorful light while the tree is fruiting, with the color corresponding the ripeness of the the fruit. The fruits themselves are red round berries and are incased in a defensive pinecone until fully developed. Each pinecone can hold up to 12 berries. The size of the berries can vary from the size of an apple to a watermelon, with the pinecone usually the size of a large autocarriage.
Genetics and Reproduction
Lychnus trees produce asexually with the use of pinecones and its fruiting bodies. When the tree has matured enough it will start producing fruits periodically. These fruits are grown on the branches of the tree whose leaves will glow indicating how developed each fruit is. The fruits are encased in a shell resembling a pine cone until it has reached full ripeness. The fruits are then exposed where it is intended that local wildlife will eat the fruit to spread the seeds. The fruit itself is poisonous to most humanoid creatures that aren't adapted to life in the The Hollow.
Growth Rate & Stages
The growth cycle of the lycnus fairly simple. The trees start from germination of a seed where they are nearly indistinguishable from any other pine tree. After bout 15 years they reach their first stage of maturity. Here they lose any color in their leaves if any were there to begin with. They do not start producing fruit until at least another 250 years when they reach their old growth stage. After reaching old growth the trees no longer grow any taller, but still grow wider until they expire.
Ecology and Habitats
The lycnus tree is predominantly found in The Hollow and where its main source of energy, fantasma crystals, are also found. The trees feed off the magical radiation that the fantasma crystals give off. Despite this, they have been found growing nearly a hundred miles from the nearest fantasma crystal structure, which puzzles many botanists. Another source of confusion is that the country of Promaticous, famously known for their lack of anything remotely arcane, is the only country able to grow these magnificent trees outside of their natural habitat.
Biological Cycle
As a tree reaches its old growth stage it becomes able to start reproduction. This is marked by a physical change in the trees themselves. During the fruiting process the leaves of the tree will start emitting light. Each branch that is producing fruit will produce this light. The color of the light indicates how ripe the fruits are with deep blues indicating newly formed fruits and red indicating fully ripened fruits.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The lycnus tree provides a much needed source of hardwood lumber to the country of Promaticous. They are exclusively grown in the north of city of Dásofum where the massive trees have been incorporated into the city as housing as well. The lumber itself is sourced from sprouting branches leaving the trees limbless most of their lives. Rubber and gum is produced from the saps of the tree.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Instead of natural light, the lycnus uses the luminous crystals as a source of energy. The trees don't seem sensitive of the light itself, but rather a unseen effect of the crystals. This effect seems to permeate through the darkness of the Hollow allowing for the dense tree growths there.
Scientific Name
Iris Pumila
Conservation Status
Protected
Average Height
3.2 Miles
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
Related Ethnicities
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