Capsulacerafrons

***Capsulacerafrons*** is a member of the Xerokerinouphytaceae primarily known for it's fronds and pseudofronds encapsulating themselves, lowering water loss. Each species grows three stems, unless obstructed.

## Habitat

The majority of species come from Hot Semi-Arid areas & Hot Desert, but there are also species in Cold Semi-Arid, Tropical Savanna & Mediterranean areas

The genus can be found in Occidentis, Southern Media Insula (Cheru), the Micha islands & Meridianam.

## Fossil record

In the past this genus was more widespread, being present in the Archa islands & northern Media Insula.

The oldest record of *Capsulacerafrons* comes from about 132 million years ago in northern Media Insula, with their extinction in the area being quite recent, at most 11 million years ago.

## Subgenera

There are three modern subgenera of *Curvicapsulafrons*, *Globicapsulafrons* & *Recticapsulafrons*.

*Curvicapsulafrons*, also known as curve-tubes, are endemic to Occidentis. These are characterised by the consistent curve of their fronds and pseudofronds.

Example species:

*Globicapsulafrons*, also known as the balloon-tubes, only has one living species, *C. globifrons*, which is endemic to Meridianam. Its fronds and pseudofronds inflate and deflate over the course of the day.

Species:

*Recticapsulafrons*, also known as straight-tubes, are found in southern Media Insula, the Micha and the Gabre islands. They are characterised by a largely straight frond and pseudofrond, though in *C. pendulus* the base of them flexes down and in some species, like *C. cygnifrons*, they can have sharp bends.

Example species:

 *C. rectus* | Common straight-tube

## Encapsulated fronds and pseudofronds

The curling of fronds and pseudofronds has created a space for gas exchange, protected from dry, evaporative winds. Fine hair-like structures border the seam of this cavity, allowing gases to pass through, while preventing most water from escaping.

One species, *Capsulacerafrons calidus*, goes another step further, heating this cavity and producing thick, insulating wax on it's fronds and pseudofronds, reducing heat loss and water loss. The temperature in this cavity can be maintained as high as 17 degrees Celcius above surrounding temperatures during the day.

In the Meridianam endemic *C. globifrons*, the fronds and pseudofronds have more flexible veins and a reduced opening seam. This seam closes completely when exposed to sunlight, causing the fronds and pseudofronds to inflate over the course of the day and deflate after dusk.

## Spore case

This genus has the typical elongate spore case of the family, being dispersed primarily by scavengers.

Spore cases are grown at the base of the fronds, in pairs, as in all other members of the Xenokerinouphytaceae except *Igniceragranum*.

## Parasitic relations

*Cerafrondviscum* are prominent parasites throughout the continental range of this genus, as examples, *C. globus* in Occidentis, *C. recticylindrus* in southern Media Insula, *C. pseudoglobifrons* in Meridianam & *C. cygnicorona* in the Micha islands.

*C. musaforma*, a parasite of thesubgenus *Curvicapsulifrons* from Occidentis, changes growth pattern to mimic each species, mimicking direction, but not the shape exactly.

*Parasiticeraradix* are a common root parasite of the genus around Media Insula, *P. canus* being the most common parasite of Media Insula species and *P. sparsus* being the only known species from the Micha islands.