Sea Pumpkin

Native to the tumultuous waters of the whirlpool reefs, the sea pumkin is a tough and hardy species. Despite its name, it does not resemble pumpkins found on the surface whatsoever; its green misshapen appearance, the pods in which it grows, and even the DNA of the species do not even superficially represent their namesake. The species is much more similar to a legume - though whether or not it can actually be classified as one it hotly debated in botanical and agricultural circles. How the species got their misleading name in the first place is believed to be due to a miscommunication between traders from the surface and local coralite kuuyikar.

Anatomy

The sea pumpkin is a large, green, bean-like vegetable that grows in pods grouped together by a tan fibrous exterior. This exterior is rough and flexible, able to be stretched without breaking and moved around without tearing. This allows the pods to stay together through the whirlpools after which their habitat was named, with minimal damage to the seeds inside.

Uses & Byproducts

The seeds of a sea pumpkin are edible, though the exterior of the pods is not. It has a savoury taste to it, and its mushy interior is eaten and prepared similarly to mashed potatoes in certain dishes. The exterior of the pods is one of few things truly inedible to kuuyikar; its rough and scratchy texture would harm the throat and cause injury. Though this exterior cannot be consumed safely, it has other uses, and is often used for roofing or flooring. There are also some styles of clothing made from it.

Geographic Distribution

• Whirlpool Reefs