Fractal tree

Fractal trees are an usual organism and are not closely related to any other macroscopic life on Almaishah. They are radiotrophic sessile creatures than live in the depths of the water near hydrothermal vents, soaking up ionizing radiation from the volcanic vents nearby. They also absorb minerals from the water that they use to store energy and grow in physical bulk. [design by Dr. Bob Smith]

Basic Information

Anatomy

Fractal trees are one of the most common forms of early radiotrophic life found on Almaishah. Each tree has a stem that is anchored to the seafloor. This stem has two thick paddle-like flat "leaves" that grow from the stem.
Each leaf grows two branches. Each branch then grows two leaves, and so on. A typical specimen is one meter tall.
The leaves on fractal trees function as betavoltaic cells. Zinc oxides form as a thin film on one side of mica-like phyllosilicates. Uranium oxides would be deposited on the other. These sheets produced a steady electric current, powering their chemical reactions. Balloon-like bladders of fluoropolymers trap the hydrogen produced by chemical reactions in the leaves so that neutral buoyance is maintained.
The stem and branches of fractal trees are composed of thin strands of copper. These strands are coated by fluoropolymer and wind around a core composed of magnetite.

Growth Rate & Stages

The larval stage of a tree is a pair of leaves searching for a new source of radiation. When a fractal tree grows to maturity, small branches that grow buoyant detach themselves from their parent leaf. The detached leaves use their electric charge to whip their stem. This powers them through the water. Eventually, the leaves will detect a source of radiation. They will head towards the source, affix their stem in the sea bottom, and start growing. The time to reach maturity depends on the resources where the larva settles. It can take anything from a few months to centuries.

Ecology and Habitats

Fractal trees need iron, carbon, sulfur, copper, silica, aluminum silicates, aluminum oxides, zinc oxides as well as one or more forms of uranium ore. They prefer habitats where aluminum phosphate is present. Fractal trees use it to trap the xenon produced by the radioactive decay of the uranium ore. This prevented the poisoning of the nuclear chain reaction.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Fractal trees are radiotrophs. That means they are autotrophs that use ionizing radiation to power their metabolic reactions.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Fractal tree larvae use their paddle-like leaves to sense external sources of ionizing radiation and will swim towards it. They can also sense when they are not neutrally buoyant and will adjust themselves accordingly.

EXTINCT

Genetic Descendants

• Feather Bush
• Radio Dome
• Radio Raptor

Scientific Name

Radiophilos geminos

Origin/Ancestry

Radiotropha

Average Height

1 m /3' 3"