Seaweed Cluster

The Seaweed Cluster is a plant sprouting numerous strands of seaweed, all for the purpose of attracting creatures to help it reproduce. This plant doesn't have much to go in the way of self defense, relying mainly on its sheer volume.

Basic Information

Anatomy

This plant has a fixed point in the ground around which all of its strands of plant matter sprout from. The roots grow deep into the ground, while the strands constantly pile over each other. The plant's spore pods are located underneath all of the seaweed strands, and can disperse spores that crawl along the undersides of the strands for transportation.

Genetics and Reproduction

When a herbivore begins to feed on the seaweed strands, the spores will crawl along the strands' undersides and attach themselves onto the creature's skin. After a while, the spores will keep growing bigger, and the creature will have to manually wipe them off. After the spores land on the ground, they'll be carried by the currents for a short time, before spraying acid directly below them to create a small hole they can take root in.

Growth Rate & Stages

Seaweed Clusters initially sprout thick green caps that lay flat on the ground, and keep getting larger over time. Then, the seaweed strands will begin poking through and absorbing the cap to grow. Countless strands of seaweed will continually grow throughout the plant's life, effectively replacing themselves after others get eaten. In maturity, the spore pods will begin growing directly underneath the strands.

Ecology and Habitats

These clusters only grow in the Forests, and they'll rarely appear in close proximity to each other. They can grow on virtually any surface, and they prefer growing either in large sand basins, or at the bases of rocks. Some have even been found growing on top of a strand of kelp.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Seaweed Clusters are chemosynthetic just like most Nightlight Zone plants.

Biological Cycle

As other creatures eat away at the most prominent strands of seaweed, they'll simply fall off from the rest of the plant. The smaller strands then grow to take their places, and the cycle restarts over and over again. If a plant doesn't get fed on often, the strands will grow freely all over the place.

Scientific Name

Chlorotriaina botrum

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Height

5 ft.

Average Weight

230 lbs.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Yellow-green in color

Geographic Distribution

• The Kelp Forests