Parachute Trees

The Parachute Trees are native to the Aer, and thrive in the summer pole. They grow on the islands of Uranus. They have a very quick life cycle, growing to maturity in just a few years, sprawling roots through the island.
They are quite invasive, and easily sprout from broken branches. The wood is very soft. It is used for some of the larger traditional Uranian instruments, and for traditional sporting equipment.

Life between the Islands

Parachute trees get their name from their seed. The seeds sprout while on their mother tree and grow a few leaves of their own to work as parachutes. When the leaves are big enough to catch the wind, it carries them off to new islands.
Sometime, if the seeds to end up in a rain cloud or another moist enviroment, they will begin to grow roots midair. This weighs down the plant, making it more likely the parachute seeds ends up in an enviroment it can thrive in.

Parachute Tree Seeds by Annie Stein

Fabric printed by Parachute Tree Sap by Annie Stein

Medicinal Sap

Parachute Tree Sap can be refined into an anti-inflammatory and a natural painkiller. It is very bitter to the taste, and almost glue-like in texture. It darkens as it dries down, easily staining hands and fabric.
The sap concentrates under the bark of the Parachute Tree. When the Parachute tree is cut, the sap beads in a ring by the bark. This ring has been used to decorate fabric for a very long time. Some historians believe it is the oldest form of printing in the Sol System.
On Uranus, the ring motif represents health and the journey of life.

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Parachute Tree by Annie Stein

Lifespan

40 years

Conservation Status

Least Concern (LC)

Geographic Distribution

• Uranus

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Propagation

Wind

Wood

Softwood

Products

Medicine (Painkillers, Skincare), Wicker, Natural Rubber