Crystal Flora

Crystal flora are a type of flora that closely resemble a crystal. Their cell structure consist of two nuclei.

Anatomy
The anatomy consists of an external photosynthesizing "cuticle" made of chitin, while the inside consist of red fungus-like tissue.

The term "crystal" in "crystal flora" refers only to their shape. Crystal flora do not refract light like real crystals, and their interior is usually opaque.

Behavior
Crystal flora adapt to heat and light. Some species have been known to change color to absorb, reflect or conserver energy better like the massive Crystal Solar Tower.

Diet & Energy


Crystal flora are mixotrophs just like plents. They get their energy from external resources using mycelium-like roots, as well as photosynthesis. There was one oddity, the wave crystal, which used kinetic energy collected from the waves. However, calling it an "oddity" is not quite accurate. A singularly unique organism is a better descriptor, as the wave crystal was one of only two "kinetivores" in Sagan 4 history.

Evolution
Crystal flora evolved on a early stage form symbiotic relationship between two spore like particle. The Binucleus Icosahedron and the binucleus Truncated Icosahedron. Both species where relatively closely related being a part of the Binucleus family. The resulting lichen-like organism, the binucleus Icosahedron Truncated Icosahedron (BITI), closely resembles the Third stage of the common Crystal flora spores. The first true crystal flora, the Binucleus Crystal Shrub, appeared in the Huggian period. Early crystal flora such as this could change color depending on lighting conditions, such as being red in deep waters like Earth's red algae.

Locomotion


Most crystal flora are immobile. One exception is the small line of crystals that lived in the tundra, they pumped antifreeze into various spikes on their bodies to weigh down one side and use gravity to slowly roll from one place to another.

Reproduction


Crystal flora reproduce by spores. The spores have 3 stages.The first stage involve individual cells called proto-spores combing with each other to make the second stage spore. The second stage the separate micro spores that makes up the symbiotic organism. The third stage being when they combined creating a lager macro spore that will then after rooting in self grow in to the full size Crystal flora.

One type of crystal flora, the crystal trees, pack their spores in "fruits" to be eaten by herbivores.

Senses
Crystal flora have limited sense. Simple heat and light detecting sense have evolved but nothing beyond what Earth plants possess. Having no central nerve system the the crystal flora have no need for complex senses.

Size
The largest of the crystal flora is the Crystal Solar Tower. It grew up to be 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) tall. It was the largest organism existing on Sagan IV.