Coiled Fern

The Coiled Fern is a plant with thick prehensile stems, built both for reproduction and for defending itself against creatures assumed to be dangerous. Their seed pouches also produce hard deposits in tangent with their chemical intake, which their stems can grab and fling at any threat to the plant's survival.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Coiled Ferns are made up of three hardy stems, branching out from a central point. The bases of the stems are covered by large, thick leaves to cover the seed pouches, and the stem bodies have smaller leaves growing in a spiral pattern around the surface. On the tips of the stems are sticky bulbs, made for grabbing and throwing their seeds, as well as their hard deposits for self defense.

Genetics and Reproduction

When a Coiled Fern is ready to reproduce, the stems will reach down to their seed pouches among their leaves, and hurl them into the open waters. The seed will then sprout thin feathery outgrowths to allow them to drift in the current. After a certain amount of time, the feathers will fall off, and the seed will sink to the sea floor to grow. These ferns rarely grow in close contact with their sibling plants.

Growth Rate & Stages

In youth, the large base leaves will grow early to protect the stems as they grow, and the plant will appear generally wider in proportion to the adults. The stems will lack leaves and bulbs early on in the plant's life, growing each once a certain height is reached. The seed pouches will grow in adulthood, and the bulbs at the tips of the stems will become sticky to accommodate for it.

Ecology and Habitats

Coiled Ferns grow in the Forests on just about any surface one could find. They are especially common in sandy beds and cracks in rocks covered in algae. In rare cases, they may get tangled with certain kelp strands nearby, or even growing on the sides of kelp strands.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Coiled Ferns are chemosynthetic just like most Nightlight Zone plants.

Scientific Name

Speiteri trianes

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Height

4.5 ft.

Average Weight

150 lbs.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Dark green in color

Geographic Distribution

• The Kelp Forests