VonFlueStudio

Notes on the crystalized radium forest of Planet 17.3

// March 29th, 2012 // Illustration

From the “Notes on Interplanetary Organisms”; Volume 32, chapter 9:

Planet 17.3 is home to many organisms that seemingly defy our understanding, the most beautiful of which must be the Crystalized Radium Forest, an organic mass approx. 1500 SQ. Earth-miles in size. Our understanding of the forest is comprised mainly from ancient records kept by the Kaolingi species. It is well documented that a “Jewel of Anthox” is one of the only substances considered deadly to a Kaolingi, and they have kept a close watch on the Forest’s spread over millennia.

The forest is composed of two main symbiotic organisms, the spiral-shaped “Anthox”, and the flat-paneled organism called they call the “Zaynox”. The area within the forest is highly radiated, and therefore the Anthox absorbs great amounts of radiation with it’s nutrients. As the Anthox grows, it separates and compresses the radioactive particles within it’s nutrients into a “lump” which amasses at the crown of the plant. This lump (called a “Jewel”) can grow to double the size of a man’s head before the plant finally builds up enough spring tension to eject a seed pod. After it has been used, it will succumb to the ravages of radiation and collapse. The Anthox stalk and it’s radiant jewel will eventually decompose.

The Zaynox grows at the base of an Anthox and uses it’s ethereal blue leaves in much the same way that Earth plants do, except that it collects local radiation from the Anthox’s jewel in order to power it’s “heart”. A Zaynox Heart creates an incredible amount of energy which if harnessed, could power a modern city. It’s leaves will clear an area of local radiation and it’s heart emits a great deal of heat, creating an ideal environment for a new Anthox to thrive.

All Moustachetronauts visiting Planet 17.3 and the Crystalized Radium Forest are required to insert Filters #8 and #32 in their Stasis Units prior to exiting their train.