Tougher

The Phyte is caustic, destroying all sentient life within minutes, either through contact or through Phlyght. This is not the case for non-sentient beings.
When exposed to the Phyte, animals become dangerous killing machines,Roughers, whose evolutionary traits, strength, speed, and often size amplify to an unnatural degree. Plants on the other hand, become hardier, more prolific.
These infected plants, or Toughers, are tenacious, propagate quickly, and can thrive in even the most extreme of climates. With Phyte pumping through them, the threat they pose is clear. They're always trying to grow into Orden, turning the landscape into a verdant landscape of death.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Plants infected by the Phyte seem to universally mutate to harness natural defenses from the plant kingdom. Things like needles, razor sharp leaves, tough bark, natural acid, and even symbiotic insects manifest in every observed species.

Biological Traits

Toughers seem to have traits inherited from across the plant kingdom.

Genetics and Reproduction

Toughers reproduce at an accelerated rate, spreading fruit, nuts and seeds which can sprout and gain purchase on even barren stone. Samples gathered show that the genetic code of Toughers has bits and pieces from every plant known. They still take a primary form, but secondary characteristics from other plants are often incorporated into them
Toughers reproduce asexually, and do not need a to be pollinated for fertility.

Growth Rate & Stages

Toughers grow incredibly quickly, spreading across a square mile in a matter of weeks.
From the moment of germination, it takes only a day or so for a Tougher Tree to grow to the size of a several year old member of its species. However this growth does not continue. The same can be observed in other species of plant as well.
The Phyte seems to 'prune' the plant on a cellular level after it's reached a certain size. Remarkably, once this point has been passed, the Tougher does not grow any larger. It simply produces reproductive organs.
Across generations, defensive traits do not seem to be standardized. A Tougher tree with knife-sized cactus spines may bear fruit that grow into the same species of tree, but instead of spines, it is covered in a thick layer of waxy sap which, when broken, burns like acid.

Ecology and Habitats

Toughers are capable of germinating on even barren stone.

Dietary Needs and Habits

It is unknown what Toughers sustain themselves on.
Observed species can grow on even manufactured surfaces, the roots digging like drills into even iron bars. They do not seem to require water or nutrition to grow.
Species grown on an iron slab seem to grow to full size as quickly as other Toughers, however after several cycles of reproducing, (the offspring being culled, of course) the original tree went into what seemed like a state of hibernation. While no visible drooping or withering was observed, as would be with typical plants, it no longer bore fruit until exposed to Phyte, after which it began bearing fruit at the previously observed speed.
Lifedust, blood or phyte seem to sustain these plants.

Additional Information

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

The Phyte seems to cultivate these plants on a genetic level, choosing the plant's traits from initial germination.

Scientific Name

Cogitarus Contemnia Plantae