Porcupine Cactus
Current Month: Julwar 2nd: 209, The Fifth Age
The porcupine cactus is an exploding desert plant. A porcupine cactus is barrel-shaped and stubby, and covered with many long thorns. When not ready to reproduce, the cacti are more flattened in shape, with leathery flesh. However, after a sudden rain, the plants become swollen with water; and within hours, they are covered in large, showy flowers. The petals of these flowers fall off after around a day, and once the plant has been fertilized and begins to grow seeds, it swells even further.
A swollen porcupine cactus is extremely sensitive to vibrations; it explodes when it senses them, blanketing a 10-foot area with a layer of thorns and plant flesh, and injuring any creatures within range. In addition, this area is akin to a field of caltrops until the next day, when new cacti begin to sprout from the area.
Porcupine cacti are found in warm deserts. While solitary cacti may be found, they typically grow in circular patches of up to two dozen specimens. Each patch is about five to ten feet apart.
A swollen porcupine cactus is extremely sensitive to vibrations; it explodes when it senses them, blanketing a 10-foot area with a layer of thorns and plant flesh, and injuring any creatures within range. In addition, this area is akin to a field of caltrops until the next day, when new cacti begin to sprout from the area.
Porcupine cacti are found in warm deserts. While solitary cacti may be found, they typically grow in circular patches of up to two dozen specimens. Each patch is about five to ten feet apart.
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