Immortaphyte

The Immortaphyte is a plant growing in the walls of the Pocket Caves, known for infecting other creatures to aid in its reproduction. It can only use this method against particularly small creatures, as with larger creatures, their spores only produce a burning sensation, which it uses to not get trampled by large predators in a chase.

Basic Information

Anatomy

This plant features a thick stem growing in a spiral motion, the tip of which has a large fruit ringed with leaf-like structures, made to entice small creatures to eat. On the plant's surface are numerous violet-colored cysts that can explode and spray spores over a nearby animal. If they miss, the spores will soon die after touching the ground.

Genetics and Reproduction

This plant's fruit exerts a strong odor that carries well into its habitat, which various small herbivores follow, namely grubs, worms, and Rock Mites. When these creatures attempt to eat the fruit, the cysts on the plant's body explode and spray the plant's spores on them. The spores then take control of the creature's behavior, causing it to avoid food at any cost. When it inevitably dies of starvation, the spores then use the creature's lifeless body to feed off of and grow into a mature plant, ensured by the carcass not moving anywhere.

Growth Rate & Stages

When the spores' host dies, they'll begin consuming its flesh to kickstart the growing process. Several small stems will emerge over the creature's body, only having leaves on the tips. After growing large enough, the plants will begin feeding off of the scant chemicals in the air, introduced from the water outside. In maturity, they'll grow larger than their host's body, gaining the cysts on their surface, as well as the fruit on the tip of the stem.

Ecology and Habitats

The Immortaphytes live only inside the Air Pocket Caves, mainly in the walls. Some of their hosts will be too big to grow over, leaving some of them visible underneath the plant's base, where the roots sprout out of every surface. These plants often grow in clusters together, as their spores often grow in groups in one host.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Immortaphytes are chemosynthetic, but unlike most Nightlight Zone plants, can feed off of meat in their immature state. They also gather water that drips from the cave roof.

Biological Cycle

These plants constantly regain their cysts after they explode into thin air. However, it takes some time to regrow them, allowing a window where some creatures can eat its fruit unscathed.

Scientific Name

Immortaphytus mavros

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Height

10 in.

Average Weight

12 lbs.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

White stem, deep violet cysts, bright orange fruit

Geographic Distribution

• The Air Pocket Caves