Underwater Redwood

The Underwater Redwood is a large tree that grows on the surface of warm seas and grows a thick root system that reaches to the sea floor.

Created by orange_cut_sliceways

Description
The underwater redwood is a tree with a floating canopy that is anchored to the seafloor with a massive root system. The canopy of the tree is a floating tangle of branches and wide leaves that extends up to 50 meters away from the central root. The canopy gives protection and sustenance to many species of animals and plants both above and below the water. Insects, rodents, birds, fish and parasitic plants are all common.

The roots of underwater redwoods grow to anchors the plant in a favourable spot. The roots tend to intertwine as they grow in the varied currents that a drifting tree experiences. As they grow, the roots create braid of smaller roots around one larger, central root that extends down into the water. In fully grown trees, this 'root trunk' grows into the sea floor, acting like an anchor for the canopy, and can be as thick as 10 meters across.

Reproduction
Underwater redwoods are water pollinated plants, and once fertilised, their seeds grow into a large seedpod on a large branch or root. This seed pod pushes out a new branch that grows to a large size including foliage. Once mature, the seedpod that this branch grew from matures into a fruit that attracts fish, underwater insects and sapient species. As this large fruit is eaten, it severs the attachment between the branch and the rest of the plant, allowing it to drift away. This branch then develops into a drifting plant, growing to the size it can anchor itself.

Domestication
Underwater redwoods are often found further out from the shore than many domesticated seaplants, as their greater size allows rooting in deeper water than other plants. While it is difficult to access the wood of this plant, Bawa and Hph'Xop are both able to do so with their aquatic lifestyle. The massive trunk roots form some of the longest lengths of wood in the world and are highly valued for such applications.