Adan-Ba - Sword Tree

The trees have a strange fibrous trunk with thick heavy leaves the length of an average persons arm. In local dialect they are called 'Adan'.
The long leaves decorating the trees are edged with spikes that can quickly draw blood if brushed against or not handled carefully. These trees line the coasts of many of the Ryukyuri Islands and act as a natural barrier that helps protect the islands from erosion during typhoons and windy ocean storms.
Mostly found in sandy areas where they hold the sand and soil in place with their complex leggy root systems, they can grow to about the height of two average sized humans.
The trees have many practical medicinal uses from healing to general health and can also be used for trade goods and other woven items that are made by the islanders and used on a daily basis such as mats, hats and baskets.

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"Push into it so we can get under the leaves," said LuChar.
"But the leaves have spikes and will cut us."
"Then we will swing the boat back out and come in faster so we can push the leaves you fear out of the way. This has to be just cover, with nothing underneath. I can see the trunks.'
Shishao didn't know how he could see the trunks of these short 'trees' since it was night and there was only a quarter moon. Shishao had been here before and knew they would get sliced by the leaves from these plants, but LuChar was in charge...
They swung the craft around and went back about 100m. All 12 of them dropped to one knee inside the boat and took the charging stance. LuChar began a rhythmic tap...tap sound on the funabari. The rowers heard the tempo and began to paddle in time. The boats speed progressively got faster as the rhythm picked up tempo. They were definitely going into the leaves now.
The boat crashed into and through the outer portion of the foliage, most of the front paddlers pulled their oars in time to use them to partially shield themselves from the long, sharp thorns that grew along the edges of the long, thick green leaves of the low trees/bushes. The boat settled and there was indeed an opening under the serrated leaves.
"Hang, grab the rope and tie it around there," said LuChar as he pointed to the nearest tree. "Go."
These trees were only slightly taller than the men who had now breached the shore. They were oddly shaped with their serrated leaves, ragged rough thin and flexible trunks that flowed down into what could only be described as multiple smaller trunks, or exposed roots(?), going into the sand. The ground was covered with fallen serrated leaves that were decomposing and crunched underfoot.
"The village is ahead," said LuChar. "Huan, scout forward and hold once in position. Jin follow him. We will come more slowly and bring the weapons." Huan and Jin nodded and slowly crept off into the darkness barely making a sound. The rest of them turned to pull the boat further into the cover so the rising tide wouldn't take it away, secure it, and gather their weapons from inside.
As they were handing the weapons over, they heard what sounded like a struggle just out of sight past a low rise. two of the oarsmen turned and held their swords at the ready. No more sound came from the direction.
LuChar made a clicking sound and the remaining men fell into a formation. Well practiced, they all slowed their breathing so they could listen, waiting for the next command. Above and all around them there were whipping and whisking sounds. The trees had come to life and their serrated leaves were now weapons, slashing and slicing at the men, severing limbs, heads, arteries, torsos. It was like being under a barrage of 100 swords. The leaves cut so swiftly through everyone and everything.
Only Shishao was still alive. He had been in the boat handing the weapons down until LuChar made the signal. Shishao had dropped down into a crouch within the boat had the longbow at ready. The rise of the boats bow provided him with just enough time to drop to the floor of the boat and avoid the slicing leaves from all around. He lay there, panting, trying to not make a sound for fear that these demon trees would slice him to pieces should he rise or make any kind of sound.
Fingers slowly closed over the gunnel and Shishao held his breath, heart beat so rapidly he thought it would burst. A twisted and gnarled horn began rising beside the hand. Then what seemed like fur, then two golden eyes with the strangest shaped pupils he had never seen before. One eye blinked at him, then the head slowly descended, each finger slowly lifted, and the hand disappeared from view.
The smell of his own urine filled the air of the boat.

Basic Information

Behaviour

Stationary. Feeds on sunlight, beach life, and a little hemoglobin.

by Original Mr Ty and midjourney

Scientific Name

Pandanus odoratissimus, tectorius