Lesser Swamp Plort

Lesser Swamp Plort
Creator	OviraptorFan
Information
Status	Extant
Common Name(s)	Lesser Swamp Plort
Zones	16, H
Roles	Producer
Classification
Genus	Pelliplortatus
Species	Pelliplortatus humilis
Evolution
Date	June 23rd, 2021
Ancestor	Clinging Swamp Plort
Descendants	No results

5-7 feet tall

As Pelliplortatus manguca spread throughout the swamps of Zone H, intraspecific competition eventually lead to some being pushed closer and closer to Zone 16. Now constantly submerged in flowing water, they adapted to this new enviroment, becoming a new species: Pelliplortatus humilis.

The Lesser Swamp Plort (Pelliplortatus humilis) is very similar to its ancestor in most respects, the most obvious difference being its reduced height of 5-7 feet tall. Instead of growing tall, it devotes its energy to its extensive root system that helps it stay firmly planted in the loose sediment of the river. It is advantaged by its stilt roots, which exposes more of the polyph to the air, facilitating gas exchange. Like most polyphs, the Lesser Swamp Plort derives its energy from photosynthesis and extracts nutrients from the soil with its roots.

Like its ancestor, the Lesser Swamp Plort reproduces asexually and disperses its seeds through both water and air. The vines on which the seeds grow are now thinner, and the seeds are lifted away from the polyph by small stems. No longer growing flush against the vine, the seeds are better able to be dislodged by the wind and carried away. After the seeds germinate, at least three roots will anchor the polyph to the ground as more roots grow in as it matures. After about 3 months (90 days), the polyph will be fully mature.

Its stem and leaves are covered in a layer of trichomes, although they are somewhat less prominent due to the lack of a helid threat in Zone 16.

This polyph will still make an appearance in areas of Zone H where the soil quality is lesser, as its enhanced root system allows it to find nutrients in suboptimal conditions.