By NatoGreavesy
Jun 24, 2023
The Wasteland world is home to all manner of macabre, menacing, and mysterious monsters, many of which remain an enigma to researchers. This series will delve into the ecology of some of these cryptic creatures.
Painpetal Plant – researchers remain unsure whether to classify this species as flora or fauna, due to its unique and unusual characteristics.
At first glance, the Painpetal looks like a massive but otherwise unremarkable plant, with a large central bulb surrounded by flowering vines. But when something touches these vines, the flowers release a puff of paralytic pollen to disable their newfound prey. The vines then tightly coil around their victim and drag them into the “mouth” concealed within the central bulb.
This “mouth” exudes powerful enzymes that can break down most organic matter within a matter of hours. Calcium from the bones of victims is repurposed to grow pseudo-teeth within the “mouth” of the plant, enhancing its ability to dispatch prey. Further increasing their threat level, these plants are not anchored to the ground by a a root structure, and have been known to “walk” on their limb-like vines to locate new hunting grounds or even chase down fleeing prey.
Painpetal Plant – researchers remain unsure whether to classify this species as flora or fauna, due to its unique and unusual characteristics.
At first glance, the Painpetal looks like a massive but otherwise unremarkable plant, with a large central bulb surrounded by flowering vines. But when something touches these vines, the flowers release a puff of paralytic pollen to disable their newfound prey. The vines then tightly coil around their victim and drag them into the “mouth” concealed within the central bulb.
This “mouth” exudes powerful enzymes that can break down most organic matter within a matter of hours. Calcium from the bones of victims is repurposed to grow pseudo-teeth within the “mouth” of the plant, enhancing its ability to dispatch prey. Further increasing their threat level, these plants are not anchored to the ground by a a root structure, and have been known to “walk” on their limb-like vines to locate new hunting grounds or even chase down fleeing prey.