Spitfire Mushrooms
Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
After 2 years, spitfire mushrooms reach maturity. They expand rapidly over a short period of time and violently explode. This explosion sends out a wave of spores which land on neighbouring trees or are carried by the wind to land elsewhere in their native forest. The speed at which the spores impact the trees helps to imbed them within the tough trucks of Venvil Swamp trees.
Unfortunately, these explosions can cause severe damage to other nearby flora and fauna, due to both the velocity of the flying spores and the scolding temperature involved in the explosion. These high temperatures are caused by the chemical reactions which facilitate the expulsion of spores.
Growth Rate & Stages
Once embedded within the truck of a suitable tree, the roots of spitfire mushrooms spread like tentacles from the sharp spore, winding their way through the internal structure of the tree. After around 10 days, the spore expands, eating away at the surrounding bark of its tree to make its way into the meagre light of the Swamp. They spread across the outside of the tree, growing to about 4 inches in diameter, with stalks about 2 inches in length. The tendrils unfurl from the caps at this point. At this stage, they are known as small form mushrooms.
Over the course of a year, the stalks of the spitfire mushroom, which number about 7 in each individual, grow to around 5 or 6 inches in length. They spend a year slowly growing spores as they take in as much energy as they can.
By the 2 year mark, the mushrooms are typically about 8 inches in length, form the base of the stalk to the top of the cap. Once the spores number approximately 12 per stalk, and are fully mature, a chemical reaction triggers extreme growth within the mushrooms, causing the stalks to expand to 10 inches in length and four inches in diameter, before they explode.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The glowing red caps of spitfire mushrooms are used to absorb Fel energy, as well as to lure other living creatures into their trap. If a creature lands on, or otherwise make contact, with the caps, the tendrils of these caps snap up to ensnare the prey within its grasp. The mushroom will use the spines on these tendrils to pierce its prey and suck out the Fel energies which flow through the veins of every fauna in the Netherworld.
Geographic Distribution
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