Bonsai Pagoda

Currents bore crystal pagoda spores northward into the tropics, where they washed upon the shores of the mainland and islands. They had trouble getting a foothold in most of these areas, where there was already abundant diverse flora, but Huggs Island was much less populated, largely containing very large or very small flora. Growing on this small island, with fewer resources, this population's growth was significantly stunted, and it came to fill this vacant size range, thus becoming the bonsai pagoda.

Like its ancestor, the bonsai pagoda reproduces via spores capable of both ocean-borne and freshwater dispersal. Lacking a convenient large river, they are now likely to use streams, lakes, and temporary puddles, which are abundant in their rainforest home. These spores contain multiple cells, belonging to two distinct genetic lines, one to form the hard chitinous photosynthetic tissues, and another to form the rest of its structure. Germination is a complicated process in which two spores meet and all cells within the two spores must pair up, all conducted underwater. The cells use chemical indicators to recognize which ones come from a different parent: The shell cells encode four distinct sexes, while the core cells encode three. Reproduction is only possible if neither matches.

As their spores require lengthy submersion to germinate, they will mostly be found alongside standing water or in a low-lying area where rainwater tends to collect. The adults remain highly tolerant of flooding as well, and may be found in the tidal zone or in floodplains. With their new small size, this includes being able to survive complete immersion for a time. Indeed, they thrive better in areas where they can cycle between immersion and exposure to air. While immersed, their outer root structures can take in suspended detritus, providing additional nourishment; when exposed, they are better able to respire. The underground root system performs decomposition constantly, and they also rely on photosynthesis from their crystal-leaves.

The bonsai pagoda grows much the same as its ancestor. A central trunk produces platform-like extensions in tiers as it rises from the ground, each new one larger than the last, rising out from the ground. Each tier also grows roots from its sides, which push down toward the ground. The crystal-leaves grow on the platforms. As the sun moves through the sky, it will peer between the gaps between the roots, shifting which parts of the platforms are illuminated throughout the day.