 
|
| LAND PLANTS -
the survey team |
|
The survey
team collected a few plant samples from OSIRIS. Many of the samples came from the coast of
the main continent and from the tropical areas of the "Osiris eye".
However, the team was able to obtain a unique plant called the Saxberry from the northern region of Osiris where the conditions and temperatures
are cold and extreme. This is the only plant in this region.
The botany team is in the
process of tracing the origin of the land plants to the water plants . So far they
were able to trace the LASAGE to the SAGE. The team also noticed that the land
plants have unique characteristics to help them to survive the weather conditions on
Osiris. For example, the Saxberry has tiny silk-like hairs to insulate itself from
the extreme cold, and the branches on the Tum Tum tree
are flexible to withstand the extreme wind. |
|
|
|
|
|
| LASAGE originally came from Sage which floated on the surface of the
Sobek Sea. In the ocean, this plant grew into a large mass. Due to the harsh
weather on Osiris, the wind often carried several sage onto land. Over a long period
of time, sages learned to adapt to Osiris' land. This plant grew and multiplied on
land. The survey team found a great many samples of this plant among the rocks
near the coast. When comparing it to the water plant Sage, the team found some
changes. It was smaller like the size of a bean sprout on Earth. The tiny air
sacks disappeared. However, on the leaf is a red circle which is a sack. This
sack contains water and many seeds. Botanists believe that the Sage might have
been crossed with another plant that had seeds. They named it LASAGE.
This plant is also a major food source for many animals such as the Lacoonshelslug. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
The Tum Tum tree is
also known under its Latin name Saccharinum meaning sweet, for sap. During summer
months, sweet sap seeps out of the bark and provides food for a bird species commonly
called a Tumasucker. The Tum Tum is a
moderately tolerant slow growing tree restricted to the tropical areas of Osiris. It grows
best in semi wet soils. |
|
| Tum Tums
can tolerate long periods of inundation and seedlings will survive complete submergence
provided the water is moving and thus oxygenated. Because of this, scientists believe the
Tum Tum tree was once an aquatic plant that evolved on land as the water receded. Further
investigation of the Tropical coast of Osiris has yielded a plant form with similar
characteristics to the Tum Tum. The Tum Tum is extremely
tolerant to competition and can survive in low sunlight areas under the tropical canopy of
larger trees. The Tum Tum bears abundant,
wind and insect pollinated flowers in the early spring. The trees rarely live for more
than 100 years, and the long dipping branches are semi flexible. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Life in the northern region of Osiris is harsh. The conditions and
temperatures are extreme. Ice sheets, glaciers and landscapes filled with tundra, occupy
this area. Due to the conditions, life is scarce. One spark of life emerges among
the tundra, the SAXBERRY
plant. Throughout the years the SAXBERRY
has adapted and become a major food source in the area. The plant lives close to the
ground among the tundra away from the strong winds. Tiny silk-like hairs are located on
the SAXBERRY, which insulate
the plant and also help reduce water loss. Snow is a great ally to the SAXBERRY. During the cold winter months, snow acts
as an insulating blanket that protects the plant. After winter is over, the snow acts as a
water supply for the plant. Violet flowers highlight the beauty of the SAXBERRY and also aid in the reproduction. Pollen
from the flowers are carried off by strong winds and by small rodents who eat the plant's
berries. The pollen falls to the ground, grows and contributes to life in the harsh
environment.. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The LITIBULB is a type of angiosperm plant mostly found in the tropical forest areas of
the "OSIRIS EYE" or the main continent of planet. It thrives in the rich soil
levels that exist in this area. The plants are "low-grounders" typically located
between rocks and on the forest ground. However, new growth appears to be occurring
between barks of trees – therefore adapting to the extreme weather conditions and
other environmental stresses that are prevalent in this area. The LITIBULB seems to have
evolved from a similar species discovered in the coral reefs. Botanists on the survey team
speculate that the pistils of the plant are most likely carried to land by the winds and
high tides. The plants grow in clusters and are food to such animals as the
LACOONSHELSLUGS. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
GO
TO TOP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
