Erimopinnus phylloakidus
A descendant of Subplortatus phyllosymplegmus and residing in Zone E, E. phylloakidus is far more adapted for the harsh desert than its ancestors. Its leaves are reduced and similar to clustered spikes, while its trunk has become fat and green for photosynthesis and water conservation, with the effect of its bark being slightly more pliable--but still quite tough. Its similarly photosynthesizing branches reconnect to the ground in a complete dome around the trunk in mature individuals, with gaps between branches allowing small musculs to still seek shelter underneath. The dome keeps the trunk cool in the shade, allowing it to lose even less water for use later during droughts. Unlike its ancestor, it only grows leaves on "outer" parts of its branches, as it no longer needs them to catch filtered light thanks to its photosynthesizing trunk. It uses the water it gathers during rain to grow its seeds, which are then carried away by the wind during the dry season to sprout next time it rains again. To help conserve water it is generally smaller than its ancestor, rarely exceeding 5 feet in height; the dome, on the other hand, can grow much wider, usually about 8-10 feet at maturity but sometimes as wide as 50 feet--in especially old individuals, as an adaptation for gathering more water, the branches that make contact with the ground can grow their own roots to support it and help gather as much moisture as possible. The trunk is usually about 2 feet wide.