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Terrateon cell Terrateon clump Primitive Terrateon	Land Plant Adaptations It was indeed a victory and thing to behold, when the oceanic Teon cell arrived upon dry land. Land plants were born and bred on the balmy shores of Belenus. The process took 3 billion years and required may failed attempts by the Teon cell. This cell, called Terrateon, was the final mutation of the Teon cell that survived on land. Fundamentally, Terrateon was a plant-partnership cell. That is, the larger outer portion of the cell was made up of hardy material that would endure, even thrive, in harsh conditions. However, trapped within the cell were tiny green algae cells. Since Terrateon was not capable of making its own food, trapped algae cells produced food by photosynthesis for the larger Terrateon cell. Remarkably, the larger cell protected the algae and became the vehicle that would successfully transport the algae-teon partnership to land. This partnership would produce four important land plants in three different biomes on Vestian land. The Terrateon cell clump became housing to algae. Algae was the primary producer of energy-rich compounds that formed the basis of the Terrateon cell. Our team of life scientists were able to trace this algae-host partnership back to the Giant Teon, Teontidal and Teonwheel aquatic animal species. The evolution was a natural and expected mutation. The Terrateon cell was minute, simple, and unicellular. Reproduction was by cell division. The partnership between algae and the Teon was symbiotic. The first organized, yet primitive land plant structure of the Terrateon cells had the curious shape of a cup. This "cup" had a hard, waxy green outer skin and a grainy textured interior that was multicolored, where the cell partnership was visible. The outer skin also developed stomata openings to permit the escape of gases, yet closed to conserve moisture when conditions were too dry. The bottom of this structure converted aquatic holdfasts to rhizome-like tentacles that fiercely grabbed a surface. This was a small plant and easily visible to the eye. It made its debut on the salt sprayed coast of Belenus, where the weather was the most temperate and favorable for sustaining all newcomers. Reproduction continued to be by cloning. However, this plant was starting to produce immature spores for sexual reproduction. Scientists have assumed that this double method of reproduction came about as a survival mechanism. When times were favorable, modern sexual reproduction with spores would take place. Sexual reproduction of a species ensures variety and better adaptation. When times were less favorable, reproduction by cloning was the order of the day. Cloning, it turns out, is economical during rigorous times. Photosynthesis remained the source of food and fuel for this plant. Basically,the Terrateon species is a successful alliance between a fungus and an algae, each doing what it does best, and thriving as a result of a natural cooperation. They live as one organism, both inhabiting the same body. This is called a symbiotic partnership. This partnership has been seen in the Giant Teon water animal species.

Species	Habitat Adaptation Information
	Botanical name: Terrateon Cup. Habitat: Sand Dunes on the shores of Belenus. Temperatures: 30 degrees C. at night, 90 degrees C in the day. Size: .24 inch to 1 inch maximum in height. Reproduction: By cloning or by spores (sexual reproduction). Food source: Symbiotic photosynthesis by algae and a root system. Special adaptations: The backshore sand dunes of Belenus was a terraced area above the high water line that sloped gently seaward. It was often convoluted by a series of ridges, or berms, that represented the wash limits of previous storms. Life on a Vestian sand dune was harsh and constantly varying. This biome required highly adapted plants dependent upon varying amounts of exposure to the salty sea air and heat of the sun for efficient growth. A wind energy source sufficient to move the sand grains created a constantly changing landscape. These plants were the first plant species to start rising off the ground in search of air and light. Their stems were stiff and thick to be durable enough to adapt to the harsh winds that blow in sand dunes. This thickness in wall structure was also a survival device that helped to conserve moisture and nutrients when times were more scarce. More specifically, this plant became a very rigid plant by the rigidity of its cells clubbing together, leaning on one another for mutual support. This support was an important strategy to help maintain an upright posture, unknown to plants before this time. The little cup-like tops were structured to capture moisture. Their grouping created colonies of strong rhizome-like structures that prevented their shifting and tossing about by the will of the sand or wind. The roots were thick and tuberous in search or water, nutrients and steadfastness. Finally,when times were ecologically sound, this plant would produce a large berry inside the cup at the top of the stem. The berry would bust open and the wind would blow its spores all over the dunes making new Terrateon Cup colonies. Sand dunes off the western shores of Belenus on Vesta
	Botanical name: Terrateon Tails. Habitat: Temperate Grasslands biome of Central Girth Temperatures: 100 degree F in summer, 25 degrees F in winter. 1" rain Size: .50 inch to 5 inches maximum in height Reproduction: By cloning or by rhizome splits Food source: Symbiotic photosynthesis by algae and a root system. Special adaptations: Grassland in the Central Girth regions of Vesta were wide flatlands blessed with a tropical breeze and moderate temperature. The amount of rain varied slightly, and this variance affected how much and how tall the grasses would be. The objective of each new plant was the same: grow upward seeking sun, light, and room to grow. Terrateon Tails "grasses" were unique in that they were thick and leathery blades. At the ends of the blades, and upon maturity, red and yellow fine hairs would grow waving in the gentle breeze. These hairs were preparatory structures for future plant sexual reproduction appendages. Although these "grasses" have a passing resemblance to true grasses, their function was much more like a prairie lichen; a hardy colonizer. They need little soil and their job appears to be to colonize the grasslands in places where more delicate grasses would not survive. These plants were not greatly affected by heat, cold, or draught. They simply inflated or deflated according to environment conditions. Another adaptation accomplished by the Terrateon Tails was their root system, why, having roots was quite an accomplishment. The roots to this plant became interwoven mats that bound loose or dry soil. After about another million years, Terrateon Tails began having true flowers and being able to pollinate. Grasses in this geological period were still quite small in the grassland of eastern Anoba, the region of the Central Girth.
	Botanical name: Terrateon Mat. Habitat: Tropical Rainforest biome of Belenus Temperatures: 400 in. rainfall/year. Temp. 70-85 degrees F. Size: Lateral spread varies from 1 sq. foot to many sq. feet. Reproduction: spores (sexual reproduction) and cloning Food source: Symbiotic photosynthesis by algae and a root system. Special adaptations: One billion years later, Vesta's landscape and plant kingdom formed the tropical rainforest. Vesta's tropical rainforest were made up of four layers: emergent layer, canopy layer, understory, and forest floor. The emergent layer was the “roof” of the forest. These trees received the most sunlight. The second layer was the canopy layer. This layer was made up of dense crown-light trees and grew to approximately 70 feet above the ground. Most rainforest organisms were found in the canopy layer. The understory was the third layer of the rainforest. It was dark and received little sunlight. It was spacious and consisted of young plants and was called the forest floor. The forest floor received almost no sunlight and small amounts of life were found in this layer. Moreover, the forest floor was covered with decomposing fallen leaves, seeds, fruits, and branches. Yet it is on this forest floor and in the understory that Terrateon Mat was found. Terrateon Mat, a fungal and an algae partnership, evolved into a photosynthetic pad having a two-dimensional spread over mud, dry dirt, debris, and bark. Being a two dimensional spread, it related to the environment as a photosynthetic factory, bathing in whatever heat and radiation the sun or any faint light might provide. The environmental conditions for the Terrateon Mat were truly unique. At once, the mats were protected and kept damp by the surrounding foliage and conditions, and yet the plant structure was one of being turgid, tenacious, and thick with a heavy waxy outer coating. To conserve its resources, growth was very slow. For example, to grow one lobed section took almost 12 months. Reproduction was asexual. Small units containing the algae and fungus broke off from the main plant and began to develop as a new plant. This is commonly known as reproduction by fragmentation. The soils here are very rich, due to high amounts of decomposing organic matter, especially at the Central Girth region of Belenus.

Terrateon Plant Cell Evolution Diagram