Holdthorn

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Holdthorns are a type of plant from the desert side of Vivatus.

Physiology

The part of the holdthorn which is above ground resembles a large, very dark green thorn, around 150cm tall, with a sharp point at the end. They are fleshy on the inside, but their surface layers are thick and waxy to keep water in. Around the middle of the thorn are photosensitive pits.

They have only three roots, which are all very thick and long. When the holdthorn detects a drop in light intensity, due to a sandstorm or rainclouds, its roots will contract and tie together to hold the plant in place.

Reproduction

Under the ground, the Holdthorn produces a small fleshy bulb, dusted with spores and just below the pollen receptacle. This is very attractive to Sandgrazers, which will eat the bulb and in doing so become dusted with pollen. If currently dusted, some of the pollen on their bodies will rub off into the receptacle, fertilising any seeds.

If no sandgrazers come, the Holdthorn will re-assimilate the bulb and self-fertilise.

Seeds are dispersed from a whole in the top of the thorn, launched upwards and allowed to drift away from the parent.