Mineraluitesta
Mineraluitestans are a phylum of Binucleida commonly known as "crystal flora." They have hard chitinous shells, which are usually photosynthetic, and soft inner cores, which they most often use for detritivory.
The term "crystal" in their common name "crystal flora" refers only to their shape. Crystal flora do not refract light like real crystals, and their interior is usually opaque.
Subgroups
Class Mineraluitestopsida
Basal Crystal Flora which have one or very few large photosynthetic crystals.
Class Stellacrystalopsida
Moss- or shrub-like crystal flora with many small crystal leaves.
Class Geometracrystallopsida
Unrooted, slow-moving Crystal Flora with long crystal "arms".
Class Coloniamopsida
Crystal Flora with vastly exposed fungal core.
Class Ganntuopsida
Deep-sea Crystal Flora which photosynthesize using the dim light of hydrothermic vents and produce sulfur instead of oxygen.
Class Petrolignopsida
Crystal Flora with mineralized, bone-like trunks.
Class Cuccellopsida
Non-photosynthetic crystal flora which are well-known for encrusting dead organisms in large numbers.