Scalebab

The scalebab is a violet flora that takes advantage of its hardy nature. This large tree-like organism is opportunistic, growing quite quickly in sunlight but being able to sit dormant for many years in the shade until light hits its leaves. Scalebabs living in drier, more open habitats are shorter and wider (depicted), usually standing at 4 or 5 meters tall. Scalebabs growing in darker, more humid areas can be only half of the width of their semi-arid counterparts, and are usually about 6 meters tall. More noticeably, their notches have shrunk down into many large scales. These scales start out a pale purple when young, and provide additional photosynthesis. When they become older they lose their pigment and become hard and woody, protecting the flora from the elements. Photosynthesis is mainly done through the highly photosynthetic leaf crown, which is still tilted slightly upward to allow water to drain back into the flora. This deep purple crown combined with the additional support of the photosynthetic upper scales means that there is no longer as much of a need for the main leaves, leaving them pale and somewhat vestigial.

Their reproductive system is mostly the same, but with two key differences. Instead of having zygote bulbs on multiple stalks, scalebabs have a singular gilled structure that can house all six of a fertile individual’s possible gene combinations. This large egg-shaped bulb is tougher and more wind-resistant, while still being able to effectively spread spores. The other difference is that they are no longer reliant on rainstorms to reproduce, being able to make male gametophytes any time it encounters new airborne spores after having accepted their first batch of airborne spores. When fertile, their central reproductive stalk also secretes a small amount of water regularly in order to mix up the different gametes. This primarily happens at night in order to avoid water loss. This organ also remains moist at all times during the night, which helps them to detect and receive zoospores. Its dryness during the day also assists it, as during this time the zoospores can be released off of the main reproductive stalk.