Frayed Bulb

Frayed Bulb
Creator	Zenith
Information
Status	Extant
Common Name(s)	Frayed Bulb
Zones	B, D, Q
Roles	Producer
Classification
Genus	Flamastipes
Species	Flamastipes ateras
Evolution
Date	December 10th, 2019
Ancestor	Flamastipes mordaxus
Descendants	No results

Descended from _Bulbus mordaxus
_
Zone D
20 cm tall, head has a diameter of 12 cm

Adaptations: The stem of Bulbus ateras is now "frayed" in that, where it meets the head, it splits into several "branches." This change has increased the surface area used to create and release spores. The frayed bulb has increased slightly in height in order to allow its spores to be spread further. It also now releases a necrotic enzyme, once part of its immune system, into the soil around its roots to aid in that competition and discourage other plants from going too close to it. This enzyme kills cells by tearing open holes in a cell's membrane and causing its cytosol and various organelles to pour out.

B. ateras protects itself from its own enzyme, as not to be damaged by it, by having molecules embedded in the cellular membrane of root cells. These molecules deactivate the enzyme, and allow it to be pulled into the root cell. From there, the enzyme is reactivated and the re expelled without having caused any damage to the root cells of B. ateras.

Reproduction: B. ateras reproduces through spores dropped from the branches connecting its stem to its head as well as the underside of the head. These spores are spread by wind.