Land Plants

 

 
Evolution

 

 

 

 

 

The process of plant evolution from water to land was a long and slow process.

Paon is a single-celled alga developed approximately 3.5 billions ago on Planet Vesta. This primitive single-cell is characterized by its jagged cell walls and chloroplast. Paons are found in the Manticore Ocean. It reproduces by the means of asexual reproduction. This single-celled organism divides and duplicates itself. The duplicated cells clump together to form primitive plant forms. These clumps of cells endure harsh environments by making chlorophyll where food can be converted from carbon dioxide, water and Heista’s energy. Chloroplasts are also formed where photosynthesis occurs. Light energy from the sun is captured and converted into sugar during photosynthesis. This early life form is carried to different parts of the ocean by the ocean currents. One of its descendents, Racaon lives in the shallow ocean rock communities. Rocaons emerged approximately 3.3 billions ago and lived in the shallow oceanic rock communities. Rocaon is a type of spongy mat-like alga that grows on shallow rocks of the tide pools. It is characterized by rolling bumps on the surface of the mat. The mat is made up of intertwined dark green cylindrical branches. These branches attach to whatever they contact.

The first land plant descended from algae, such as Rocaons. Rocaon evolved and adapted to living on land as the ocean tide line fell further and further away from its living environment. The surface cells of Rocaon were able to absorb nutrients and water when it lived close to the ocean. As a land plant, however, it needed to divide up the task, which required it to adapt and develop new features.

Roots were a feature dedicated to seek out water and nutrients. Roots also served as stabilizers for the plants. Vascular system also evolved in the land plant in order for water and nutrients to move from the roots to other parts of the plant. Leaves were developed to capture energy from the sun and turning it into food. Waxy skin pores, and phloem were also developed to help in the adaptation of the plant’s new living environment.

 

Early Land Plants
Environment 1: Dune Sands
Name: Paon Sand Grass  

Dune sands are the portions of a beach that extend from the high-tide line inland to the sea cliff. They are mounds of windblown sand which vary greatly in size, from less than one meter to tens of meters high. The shapes of individual dunes also vary greatly. The shapes are controlled by the direction and strength of the wind forming it. The sizes and shapes of the mounds are determined by the amount of sand available.

Paon Sand Grass could be found growing in the dune sands. It is a silvery-green perennial grass that helps bind and build the sand with its roots. It spreads its tuberous roots just under the surface of the sand, and forms an underground web that helps hold the sand in place. Paon Sand Grass stabilizes the soil for its own survival. The grasses grow up to 40 inches tall.
Although Paon Sand Grasses produce seeds, their primary method of reproduction is vegetative rhizomes. The rhizomes are extremely strong and can colonize new areas by breaking off and establishing in new areas. Extended immersion in seawater can enhance the rhizomes’ colonizing abilities.

Paon Sand Grass faces many environmental challenges for survival. Its number one challenge is the loose sand it depends on for stability. Another challenge the Paon Sand Grass encounters is the lack of water it needs for existence. Its long tuberous roots help both locate water and also stabilize the grass by holding the sand in place. The grass’s roots play an important part in its continual survival.
Environment 2: Temperate Grasslands
Name: Paon Temp Grass

 

Grasslands are large lands dominated by grasses instead trees or shrubs. There are two main types of grasslands: tropical grasslands and temperate grasslands. Tropical grasslands are located near the Central Girth in the tropical zone. Temperate grasslands can be found further from the Central Girth in the temperate zone.

Temperate grasslands are composed of a rich mix of grasses. Soils in this region are rich in organic and inorganic nutrients. Temperate grasslands have hot summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures can reach up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit while winter temperatures can be as low as 25 degrees Fahrenheit. These areas usually receive approximately 15 to 30 inches of precipitation a year. The amount of rainfall affects the height of grassland vegetation.

Paon Temp Grasses are found in the temperate grasslands. Paon Temp Grass grows in open grasslands. It thrives in rich sandy solids and reaches up to approximately 8 feet tall. The grass’s stems form small to large clumps and may be densely hairy at the base. Paon Temp grass has long and linear leaves with compressed purplish coverings. The grass reproduces both sexually and asexually by seeds, shoots sprouted from the base of the grass, and rhizomes.

Paon Temp Grass faces many environmental challenges for survival. The two greatest challenges facing the grasses are drought and fire. Drought and fire can possibly annihilate huge regions of grasslands. Fortunately, Paon Temp Grasses are sturdy plants and are able to revive and survive in environmental catastrophes by spreading their roots underground and continue to exist in the grasslands.

Environment 3: Tropical Rainforest
Name: Paon Trop Fern

The rain forests of Planet Vesta are located near the Central Girth in the tropical zone of the planet. Tropical rainforests are warm, lush, and moist environments rich in plant and animal species. The rainforests receive approximately 400 inches of rain per year. Temperatures are constant in these areas, ranging between 70 degrees and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tropical rainforests are made up of four layers: emergent layer, canopy layer, understory, and forest floor. The emergent layer is the “roof” of the forest. These trees receive the most amount of sunlight. The second layer is the canopy layer. This layer is made up of dense crown-light trees and grows to approximately 70 feet above the ground. 90% of the rainforest organisms are found in the canopy layer. The understory is the third layer of the rainforest. It is dark and receives little sunlight. It is open and made up of young plants. The last layer of the forest is its floor. The forest floor receives almost no sunlight and little life is found in this layer. The floor is covered with decomposing fallen leaves, seeds, fruits, and branches.

Paon Trop Fern is found in the tropical rainforests. Its leaves are massive and can grow up to 20 feet long. The trunk of the fern is woody and measures about 10 feet tall and bears the crowns of leaves. The fern itself grows up to 30 feet in height. The root of the Paon Trop Fern is thick and supports the entire fern. Paon Trop Fern is capable of survival in the dimly-lit rainforest. It can be found in varies living environments of the tropical rainforest. The reproduction of the Paon Trop Fern involves two generations and a dependence on water. First, spores are produced beneath the leaf by the fern plant. The spore releases and grows into thallus. The Thallus produces male sperm cells at the pointed end and female cells in the notch. The sperm then burst free from the thallus in the presence of water and swim to the female cells. A new plant develops after fertilization. Paon Trop Ferns also reproduce asexually by spreading its rhizomes-stems which grow close to the soil surface.

Paon Trop Fern faces many environmental challenges for survival. The greatest challenge facing the fern is the lack of sunlight it receives in the dense rainforest. Sunlight is needed for survival. The massive leaves of the Paon Trop Fern help it absorb as much light as possible through the layers of the forest. The height of the fern also helps it seek out sunlight in the forest.

 
 
Diagram of Plant Relationships

Paon

Clumps of Paons

Racoans

 
 

Paon Sand Grass

Paon Temp Grass

Paon Trop Fern

  
 
 
         
         
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