Ivory Trees

The Extrasalix psytanbilis, otherwise known as Ivory Trees are a rare species of tree that is only found in the forests of Kaawa where they are quite abundant. The closest mundane tree to the psi-touched tree would like come from the Salix genus with trees like Weeping Willow and some species of Cypress. They grow in abundance in Kaawa and possibly other pockets like it, but Kaawa is the only one that has been found and studied extensively.

What makes this species special is that it is a completely sexually dimorphic tree species, with seperate female trees and male trees. This tree also has two distinct morphs. There is an "armored" version and a "sealed" version. Both types are used extensively by the communities in the Kaawa Lands. They are also vital to the ecosystems in this particular dimensional space. Like most species that roam this version of Earth, it has been severely affected by the psy radiation that has infested the planet.

Origins

When the Order of the Bearers were making their way back to the waiting communities after the signing of the treaty, the community was ambushed by several groups of people with a common goal of exterminating them. Just when they thought the community was done for, there was a flash of light and the community vanished according to records left behind by the would-be raiders.

It would be another 70 years before anyone would learn what happened to it. They had been teleported to a large extra dimensional space that later became known as Kaawa. It was not just the community that had been moved but the entire area for many miles. This included all the animals, plants, and geographical things like mountains and rivers. The Salix ancestors of these trees were swept up in this new dimensional space as well. After decades of exposure to high psi radiation levels and speciation through symbiosis and other stimuli, the Ivory Trees came into being.

Anatomy

The trees look similar to Cypress trees, although their branches and leaves are longer and have a weeping willow-like behavior. The similarity between either type of tree varies by the sex morph that the tree has taken. There are currently two that have been identified: the armored morph and the sealed morph.

Morphs

Armored

This morph of the tree is a lot thicker and hardier than its sealed counterpart. It has a thicker trunk and branches, however, it has fewer of them and they grow closer together. It also is sturdier than the tarnished morph. The upper branches hang low and low like willow trees. But the length of the leaves and branches usually doesn't fall past the start of the tree's trunk. The trunk is covered in thick bark that grows in layers that curl up around its base and up the trunk. It is sometimes called the bride tree because the gathered bark looks like the ruffles of a gown.

Psi abilities The bark of the armored morph contains enough psi energy to produce and maintain a slight shield of energy about it. This is believed to have developed out of a need to protect its wood and leaves from herbivores. But the bark is regularly harvested for use as well as its wood.The natural shielding abilities of this tree morph allow people to make items that have natural protective qualities.

Sealed

This morph of the tree is a lot thinner and not as resilient than its armored counterpart. It has a thinner trunk and branches, however, it has more of them and they grow further apart. The upper branches do not hang low like willow trees, but have long leaves like them. The trunk is covered in thin paper like bark that grows in layers that peels off and often litters the grown. It is sometimes called the groom tree because during the spring or sap running periods, it looks like it is wearing a dark suit.

Psi abilities The wood and sap of the “sealed” trees are known for holding and even absorbing lots of psi energy which people take advantage of to make enhanced tools and buildings. It is believed that it developed this ability as a defense mechanism as well. The sap can be poisonous to ingest for most herbivorous creatures. It tends to carpet the forest in copious amounts during the spring. Which could be useful to protect young saplings and younger trees from herbivores.

Ecological Niche

The trees grow well in the boreal biome that Kaawa currently has. However, careful management of the forest and the flora and fauna of different areas have cultivated some interesting patterns of growth for the trees.

Like their willow cousins, the seeds of the armored morph specifically are light and wooly. This means that they spread over the air via wind. The tree numbers would reach epidemic proportions if not carefully maintained. Various volunteers and some community events are structured around the use of their seeds, seedlings, and saplings as well as just clearing them out. Because of this, the armored trees are managed in groves spread across the area. The Ivory Sentinels are a known grove of armored Ivory trees that have grown around the Glistening Grotto for more than a century at this point.

The sealed trees are more likely to be found in dense forests along with some other hardier plants that grow in the bear patches in-between the trees. The seeds of the sealed plants are bigger and not as light as their armored counterparts, but they are just as wooly if not as moreso. They are wrapped in a similar fiber that is a bit longer and thicker than the fuzz on their armored counterparts. Because of these differences, they don't travel as far. They often fall to the ground not far from where they were grown. This is often why Kawaa has natural shielding in some areas from the elements like the wind and rain. Theoretically, those dense forests could also hinder a direct assault on the communities within it.

Photosynthesis

Both morphs of the tree photosynthesize. But they can also produce energy through an anaerobic process that is possible through the symbiosis it has with the two types of mentulpa species that live within its trunk and root systems.

Symbiosis with Mentulpa species

In armored trees, the smith mentulpas also known as Floriphagein lepidosmitha, are basically architect mentulpas that are a bit larger than most mentulpas. But they eat sugar from the sap in the trees and use that to create the thick almost metal like wood and bark that the armored trees are known for. In return, the animal's waste is a sugar byproduct that the trees can use to make energy when there is no sun to make their usual sugars through the usual photosensynthic methods. In return the extra psi energy that is produced by the mentulpa and even the tree itself will form an ambient shield of energy around them.


In sealed trees, The tanner mentulpas scientifically known as the Floriphagein kaxismitha, work a bit differently. They too eat the sap and sugar from the trees but their byproduct is a secretion that is similar to a slippery tar in viscosity and color. The enhanced sap serves two purposes, the sealed mentulpas are predators and will eat the other mentulpas that are drawn to the the sticky substance by either scent or the the slight pull that the substance that has on bthings that have a lot of psi energy in a form of ionic pull like magnets.

Growth and Reproduction

The trees have the same growth patterns as normal willow and cypress trees do averaging about 4-7 years until maturity. Once they start producing their signature attributes like the shield bark and energy properties or the sap production, they are considered mature. They have a much longer lifespan than their more mundane cousins. The average is 60 years compared to the 30 some willows live to. The range extends from 50-to 100 years... if not more. As mentioned above both tree morphs produce seeds. The lighter and fluffier armored seeds are often harvested for rituals, and food. There are also birds and other animals that will eat them as well.
The sealed seeds are not eaten as often as they are usually covered in the sap being produced by the same tree that likely made it. but the fibers that are produced around the seeds are highly prized for fabric production. The fibers are long and can add power channeling abilities to the cloth that it is woven into.

Byproducts/Materials and Their Uses

Armored Trees:

Wood

Wood Planks: To build homes and other structures: Their natural abilities grant these structures built in shielding, which lowers the amount of psi radiation that can leak into homes.

Paper: This specialized paper along with a special ink produced from the sealed tree sap can create letters that can carry secret messages that are revealed with a little psi energy.

Bark

Filler:The metallic bark is often crushed and used as filler and part of the process of making psi Damascus metal. It is also melted down and mixed with other metals to make tools and weapons.

Carved statues or plaques: People will also carve out small statues and trinkets for good luck or to remember those that have passed as a way to symbolize their presence and protection.

Seeds

Stuffing: The seeds used to be used for stuffing pillows and furniture and toys in the olden days. However, the practice has been discontinued due to the seeds sprouting when moistened by anything.

Ritual work: They are also collected for a prosperity and good luck ritual that takes place during the springtime.

Burial Ritual: They are also woven into special pillows that are buried with loved ones. They are also released over rivers and lakes when commemorating the dead.

Sealed Trees:

Wood

To build purifying gates and energy collectors: Their natural abilities grant these structures the ability to collect energy for use or make organic batteries for things. The gates are often used to purify those that come from outside of Kaawa so they don't bring anything from the outside world in, lest it ruin the ecosystem.

Black Ivory Sap

Ink: special psi reactive ink is made from it

Sealant: This substance is also made from it and used to seal energy collectors and varnish gates, especially those near the entrances to dwellings and the dimension itself.

Seeds

Snacks:The seeds themselves are often roasted and eaten as snacks

Fiber: The fiber that encased the seeds are often harvested to feed to the silkworm moths that were cultivated to produce psi reactive silk. It is also used to make studier cloth... but only small amounts as the fibers are not super long. They are also mixed with the silk as well to fortify the cloth being produced.

Related Materials

• Black Ivory Sap