Post by stormturmoil on Feb 12, 2007 21:46:58 GMT
Copperleaf is the common term used to describe the largest of the varieties of tree-like organism that comprise the continental jungles of St Martius' Footfall, the major land mass of the planet St Martius' Hope. The organism is a large brachioform photosynthetic lifeform uniquely adapted to the conditions of it's planet. This is most evident in the nature and appearance of it's foliage, from which it takes it's name. Copperleaf is evolved to protect it's more vulnerable trunk and roots from the ravages of potentially dangerous Flare Starlight by means of concentrating heavy metal salts within it's leaves to form a canopy that effectively absorbs radiation. So effective is this process that it also affects the artificial radiation used by vox sets and auspexes, neither of which device will function properly within or through a Copperleaf canopy. The canopy also deflects most other forms of electromagnetic and charged particle radiation, making the densely packed jungles safe for other lifeforms to inhabit beneath their overarching umbrella.
Copperleaf is named for it's coppery leaves, but whilst copper is a major component of it's foliage, it is not responsible for it's colouration, rather, the distinct red-brown hue is the result of a xanthophyll-based photosynthetic complex, while the metallic sheen is a product of concentrations of heavy metals such as zinc, lead and tin.
As might be expected, the foliage of Copperleaf is not edible, being highly toxic to humans through causing acute heavy metal poisoning. However, the plant has attracted interest from the Imperium as a potential form of bio-refining agent: the natural heavy metal sequestering and concentration process allows the plant to rapidly acquire otherwise difficult to access minerals with a minimum of mining expense. Unfortunately, the Xanthophyll Based Nature of the plant's photosynthetic process is actively evolved to favour orange sunlight and Flare star conditions, and is rapidly supplanted and out competed by Chlorophyll-based photosynthetic plants under other solar conditions. Experiments to correct this continue unabated, with some Adeptus Mechanicus adepts confident that this process can soon be adapted to acquire minerals wherever sunlight and water are present.
A test idea for a form of Flare adapted lifeform that may form part of the continental jungles. It also explains why people can hide in the jungles, both from the imperials and from Flares.
Copperleaf is named for it's coppery leaves, but whilst copper is a major component of it's foliage, it is not responsible for it's colouration, rather, the distinct red-brown hue is the result of a xanthophyll-based photosynthetic complex, while the metallic sheen is a product of concentrations of heavy metals such as zinc, lead and tin.
As might be expected, the foliage of Copperleaf is not edible, being highly toxic to humans through causing acute heavy metal poisoning. However, the plant has attracted interest from the Imperium as a potential form of bio-refining agent: the natural heavy metal sequestering and concentration process allows the plant to rapidly acquire otherwise difficult to access minerals with a minimum of mining expense. Unfortunately, the Xanthophyll Based Nature of the plant's photosynthetic process is actively evolved to favour orange sunlight and Flare star conditions, and is rapidly supplanted and out competed by Chlorophyll-based photosynthetic plants under other solar conditions. Experiments to correct this continue unabated, with some Adeptus Mechanicus adepts confident that this process can soon be adapted to acquire minerals wherever sunlight and water are present.
A test idea for a form of Flare adapted lifeform that may form part of the continental jungles. It also explains why people can hide in the jungles, both from the imperials and from Flares.