Hercules Stalk

Due to pressure from grey crystalbane, this species of rupee tree grew to immense size. Its extremely thick trunk is large enough to partially withstand the crystalbane’s deadly toxins. It is also packed with its own digestive enzymes, primed to take out an invasion of crystalbane. When it is attacked, it will send out a distress pheromone to other hercules stalks, causing them to produce more digestive enzymes. Their great height also gives them a better height to disperse their seeds from, allowing them to better colonize forested areas. Their large crystal plates absorb as much light as possible, while also shielding the rest of the tree from immense heat.

Despite their adaptations against it, they actually somewhat benefit from the presence of grey crystalbane. When patches of forest are cleared by a large invasion of grey crystalbane, the hercules stalk’s small seeds are able to grow in the otherwise competition-riddled forest.