Eelgander

Eelganders are a small species of tree which grow in and near water, growing very close to the ground, barely ever growing over 3 metres tall. They are found in most climates in the Region of Sarra barring the desert and savannas, all of Trecath, Aekor and the south of Tropacia.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Eelgander trees have a very thick trunk, which is a light brown colour. There is a thin layer of bark which can be easily peeled off and regrown. The pale yellow/green leaves grow in large clumps in semi-circle shapes from thick branches. Smaller leaf clumps grow around them. The roots reach far down in the ground collecting minerals from the ground, some roots also grow above ground, growing to reach the nearest water source, which is most likely less than a few metres away.

Genetics and Reproduction

Inside of the leaf clumps are eelfruits which produce the trees seeds. These seeds are rounded, a berry size and are a dark green. The seeds remain inside the fruit until they fall off and decompose, leaving the seeds to be swallowed whole by herbivores and then released through their feces where they will then grow with the more fertile soil. Fruits that fall in the water eventually decompose at the riverbed after sinking, and are eaten by fish and other freshwater inhabitants.

Growth Rate & Stages

Eelgander seeds take about a week to germinate, and then they will take up to 5 weeks to reach shoulder height, which is very long on Greenerth. The eelganders take up to a year to grow to its full height, about 3 metres tall, the slowest for any tree growth of that specific height.

Ecology and Habitats

Eelganders favour riverside environments. Their tree roots can grow into the riverbed, extracting enough water from the river in order for it to grow. The lack of other trees means that the eelganders are given full access to photosynthesis. Eelganders can also grow in the river, but only a metre or so deep, allowing most of it to reach above water.

Biological Cycle

Eelgander trees are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in winter. These leaves start falling during mid-late Jaxartibar, all through Erribar, Wenibar, finally growing leaves in early Malabar, which starts the new year.

Geographic Distribution

• Aekor
• Greenerth
• Region of Sarra
• Trecath
• Tropics