Scatter Grass

## **Description**

**Scatter grass** (**Currensherba)** sometimes referred to as **skitter grass** are a diverse species of **polyspeculate**,who's ancestors are **sidobosians**. Around a central body they have six legs each tipped with a curved claw and a spike on their leg behind the claw made for pushing off the ground when running, the claws are meant to grip the ground and pull the scatter grass forward making for effective overall grip of the ground allowing speedy movement. Attached to the top of the center are pointy long thin green leafs numbering at about 8 to 24.

Apart from their leaves, the scatter grasses' entire body are in shades of brown. Connected to the thicker area on the central body pointing all around the scatter grass's body are long hair like structures meant to have a wide range of the sense of touch meant to notify the scatter grass of danger and of members of their species they are able to tell the difference from friend and foe because the hairs can sense not only touch but also smell and taste.

## **Behavior**

Scatter grass leaves have a similar appearance to earth grass as they congregate in a similar way to how grass grows. They are shockingly fast and agile, able to run at full speed and then suddenly run in the complete opposite direction in a matter of half a second. Their strategy of collecting sunlight is to congregate together in the open numbering in the millions all settled in with their legs folded looking like an immobile polyspeculate. They have a retractable spike at their underside with root like appendages which is stabbed in the ground to collect nutrients. The strategy scatter grass have to avoid grazers is a surprising, unexpected and silly looking event. When a hungry herbivore arrives and leans over to feast on them the scatter grass immediately bursts into action. What seemed like an unassuming field of immobile polyspeculates suddenly turns into millions of tiny legs scuttling at high speed away from the rather startled herbivore, each of them making a small constant "eeeee" chirping sound if their predator gets a little too close to them which is to hopefully scare it away, this is created when they rapidly vibrate their leafs causing the base of their leafs to rub together and the special texture of that area produces this funny sound, when they do this it gives them the silly appearance of running around screaming. If pursued they will continuously run and move out of the way from the pursuing danger in a birds eye view the entire field looks like a force field effect as the scatter grass leave a round patch of bare ground, the predator being at the center. This strategy is so effective only the smartest of herbivores can get more than a small ration of around 5 individuals. The only successful herbivores seem to treat it like a pack hunt, herding the scatter grass into a crowded circle creating a small window of opportunity to grab mouthfuls of food until the scatter grass disperse underneath their feet until the herbivores can begin another round.

## **Life cycle**

The life of scatter grass begins as a green bulb growing on the ground. This bulb is hard and distasteful not worth eating, the bulb will stay growing until it is able to develop it's legs to a usable degree. Once this happens the bulb will move to a safe secluded area most often staying pressed beside a rock where it develops farther. For its entire life it has used its green colors of the outer layer of its shell for photosynthesis but this won't be enough to continue developing. The bulb will then develop green leaves for proper photosynthesis. These leaves will continue developing and the bulb will move to more suitable hiding spots if it grows to big for it or if the hiding place is obstructed. As the bulb eventually looks more like the adult, it loses the green colors in its body and it also loses the highly impenetrable and distasteful shell, no longer needing it as it now has fully developed leaves and legs. Now with leaves it follows the scent of a scatter grass field grouping up with other scatter grasses on the way. When it does find one, it joins the group and settles in. Once it is mature enough and when the time comes, it will join a spawning season where a new structure for creating spores develops in the center of its leaves; it then lets the wind carry the rather large dandelion seed-like spores all throughout the field and to different areas. When the season is over the spore structure falls off and life goes on as normal.

## **Range**

Scatter grass are found on the continent and surrounding islands of Occidentis, some in Archa and some in Terra Septentrionis. Their range being everywhere throughout the tropical savanna and some other areas suitable in similar conditions to where earth's grass live.

Populations can be found in Archa's temperate oceanic areas as well where they are known to be a great source of entertainment with a terrestrial species of **spurlite**. There are a few species capable of living in some of Occidentis's temperate zones surviving the winter by being frozen solid reawakening when the ice in its body melts similar to how its done by some animals on earth.

On Terra Septentrionis they range from living in the more temperate and wet regions to also living in mountainous and colder taiga regions by having specialized to survive their different conditions and diversifying into different species.

## **Known species of Scattergrasses**

### **Spidergrasses *(Foliumaranea minutulus)***

**Name:** Spidergrass or Skittergrasses

**Creator:** Beans

**Clade:** Sibidosia, Scattergrass

**Habitat:** Decently lit areas in Southern Terra Septentrionis

**Size:** 3 centimeters tall

**Diet:** Photosynthesis

**Reproduction:** Spores

Spidergrass possesses such a variety of species that it is not possible to write about them all. Though spidergrass have most if not all of a variety of traits. Spidergrass are easily the smallest type of scatter grass, 3cm is the average size for a typical spidergrass. Almost all species of spidergrass will congregate in small patches on decently lit and often high up areas. These congregations look like unassuming mossgrass. The only obvious give away are the small hairlike structures that cover the cluster. These Are actually the sensory whiskers of the spidergrass, which are extra long compared to more typical scattercrass.

It's only when they are disturbed when their true identity is revealed. Suddenly the patch of mossy plant matter disperses in a small frenzy of high pitched hisses as each spidergrass attempts to escape the perolis situation. Their hissing is unique in the sense that they have leaves that are specialized for the job. Their small and short noise making leafs rasp against the surface of the much larger photosensitizing leaves, creating a much louder sound than would otherwise be possible for something that's such a small size. Developing spidergrass buds have the luxury of being able to grow nearly anywhere. A small patch of dirt is enough for them to fully develop all their adult traits. In colder climates a spidergrass bud will put their development on hold in the winter and remain dormant until spring.

### **Boxing Cycrab *(Cycocancer omnistrika)***

**Name**: Boxing Cycrab

**Creator:** Woomy;)

**Clade:** Sibidosia, scattergrass

**Habitat:** the wet zones of Southern Terra Septentrionis

**Size:** 1.5 meters tall

**Diet:** soil and sunlight

**Reproduction:** spores

Boxing cycrabs are an unusual species of scattergrass that have developed powerful defensive measures as means of deterring predators. They're fairly slow, with a top speed just a slight bit faster than human walking speed. To make up for this pitiful pace, the cycrabs have developed strong punching claws with which they can break bone. The muscles in these limbs can move fast enough to cause a sonic crack at the point of contact, which will scare off any potential pack mates if the screeching from rubbing the fibers on their head crest isn't enough already. They sense the world almost entirely through touch, and can detect minute changes in air pressure to alert them of potential predators using the hairs located in a ring on the top of their central disk.

The openings in the claws may seem pointless at first glance, but they do have some use in pulling up other polyspeculates when the cycrab needs to find a place to plant itself in order to get its share of nutrients. This loosens the soil and allows them to settle in easier.

### **False Cycrab (*Pseudopercussicancer succulentes*)**

**Name:** False Cycrab, Aloe Rabbit Crab

**Scientific Name:** Pseudopercussicancer Succulentes

**Creator:** Woomy;)

**Clade:** Sibidosia, scattergrass

**Habitat:** The deserts of Tenebris Size: 50 centimeters tall Diet: Sunlight, water, and minerals obtained from bone (both from animals and bone plants)

**Reproduction:** Two individuals locate one another through scent, then rub against each other to cover their hairs in spores, which are then moved to the base of the central disk. It is here that they begin to grow and develop into small eggs, which are dropped into a cavity punched into a bone to hatch.

The false cycrab is a species of scattergrass native to Tenebris that has specialized all 6 of its limbs to break bone into fine powder. They then eat the powder and small pieces and grind them up to even smaller pieces inside tubes on their feet. The reason they developed these specializations is because the soil in the desert is very low in passive nutrients, like carbon and calcium.

An added benefit of this type of specialization is protection from predators, as they can punch in 6 directions at once and do so instinctual when their sensory needles are triggered, either through smell or touch. Their feet have developed a blue color to warn potential predators that they are not to be trifled with. The leaves of the false cycrab are arranged in the shape of a funnel, which allows them to collect rainwater in large amounts. They are also tipped with hypodermic drainage needles that they can stab into the insides of the bone plants that they eat, which allows them to take water from them. This water is stored in a bladder-like "jug" organ, just above their central disk. The leaves are thick, and filled with a special gel that has a savory flavor, and can be used to treat frostbite, and also as a butter substitute in savory dishes. The leaf membranes work great as an herb in soups, and the muscles of the feet taste like savory Lobster when boiled or pan fried.

Though they are similar, the false cycrab is not related closely to the Terra Septentrionis "Boxing Cycrab". They can be told apart by the size, the shape of the leaves, and the fact that the boxing cycrab only has 2 punching limbs, while the false cycrab has all 6 of its limbs adapted for this purpose.

During the cold season, the false cycrab will fall into a dormant state, burying its feet into the ground and using close to no energy until the weather warms up again. When properly warmed, false cycrabs are quite flighty and able to leap into the air by punching the ground, which confuses predators and allows them ample time to escape. Of course, this is assuming that the predator was not frightened off by the painful and sudden punch it surely would have received beforehand. While this is rare, it does happen.

### **Fluffy Scattergrasses *(Cryoherbas gracillis)***

**Name:** *Cryoherbas gracillis alpinus* commonly known as fluffy scattergrasses or alpine scattergrasses.

**Creator:** Corax.Lara

**Clade**: Sidobosian, Currenherban

**Habitat**: Living on both the northern and southern sides of the Dominiang mountain ranges in Terra Septentrionis.

**Size:** Around 20 to 30 centimeters in height.

**Diet:** Photosynthesizers, gathering nutrients while digging themselves in the earth through root like hairs in their legs.

**Reproduction:** The scattergrasses release a large amount of very light seed like spores, letting the seeds move around in the wind to plant themselves in different areas.

These weird little moving plants were first discovered along Occidentis, a very distant continent on the other side of the world. However, in recent expeditions to Terra Septentrionis, a related and very similar species of Scattergrass has been discovered. Cryoherbas gracillis, a different genus, but closely related to the Occidentian Scattergrasses. They have been spotted all along the northern side of Terra Septentrionis, with this particular subspecies, Cryoherbas gracillis alpinus, being endemic to the Dominiang mountain range. They are different to the Occidentian species due to their usage of their hair like extensions as insulation. This is what has given them their nickname of “Fluffy scattergrasses” due to their hairier appearance.

Scattergrasses fulfill a very essential role in the foodchain of the Dominiang ecosystem. They fulfill both a small animal niche and a small plant niche, becoming prey by both predatory and herbivorous populations. They have a myriad of predators, from Meloncrackers, to Alpine fuzzbuckets, to alpine jumpers, to Robberbirbs, to more carnivorous species like some of the multiple birbs, to Venandidominids (Boops), to Butterfoxes or even their relatives the bowlcrabs and even having a species of green fluffsnek specializing on a diet solely of scattergrasses.

They can survive mostly through extremely rapid breeding, releasing tons of spores almost constantly during the spring and summer months. Due to their almost constant breeding, they end up with multiple young and very high populations. Without their many predators, its likely that scattergrasses would have an insanely large population boom, which would be a detriment to the environment since it would cause them to outcompete some of the more sedentary plants and leaving the ecosystem off balance. With so many scattergrasses to come around, its no wonder many dispeculates have begun to depend on them as a large part of their diet, keeping their populations in check.

During the colder months of the year however, scattergrasses start to become much less active, becoming much more sedentary. When winter comes, most scattergrasses enter a state of torpor, where they hide themselves under dirt and snow and keep only the tips of their leaves exposed. Spores that are growing throughout winter stop their development until spring starts.

This torpor state is where scattergrasses are the most vulnerable, many fall prey to foraging herbivores that are trying to make it through the winters in the mountains. This ends up dropping a significant portion of their population, until spring starts again, where all those dormant spores resume development again. By the start of spring many new scattergrasses start to sprout to start the yearly cycle again.

### **Abaddon's Bamboo-walker (Dendropodas angustifolius)**

**Name:** *Dendropodas angustifolius* commonly known as Abaddon’s Bamboo Walker

**Creator:** Corax.Lara

**Clade:** Sidobosian, Currenherban

**Habitat:** First discovered in the Isle of Abaddon, seen all across the Apollyonic isles, however later on more specimens have been found all across the Luci archipelago.

**Size:** from 3 meters tall to almost 10 meters tall in the largest specimens.

**Diet:** Photosynthesizers, gathering nutrients while digging themselves in the earth through root like hairs in their legs.

**Reproduction:** They have a long stem like reproductory organ that comes out of the top of their stem, which exposes their airborne spores to fly off with the wind, commonly landing in different islands allowing it to be an amazing island hopper despite not being an active walking organism.

The elusive and secretive Bamboo-walker, a weird organism first found within the isle of Abaddon. Combining both insectoid and tree like attributes, this giant amongst scattergrasses truly stands out for being quite difficult to spot despite its enormous size. This is due to its incredible camouflage that lets it blend in seamlessly amongst the forest backdrop. This giant remains mostly still during most of its life, with its legs half buried in the ground to absorb nutrients slowly, in difference to other scattergrasses, these are mostly sessile to absorb as much sunlight as possible. While considered a rare sight, these sidobosians are much more numerous than they appear. In the Apollyonic isles alone there’s an estimated 2,500 individuals and possibly more, with most of them being young individuals between 1-3 meters in height. This is only apparent in the monthly migrations these scattergrasses partake in. These “migrations” are the result of each month the Bamboo-walkers needing to find a new place to bask in the sun, a place with less crowded forest and more open spaces to let them thrive. *Commonly seen walking in small groups across small plains or forests, they are an imposing sight to behold.*

Their large tripodal legs are designed to bear a lot of weight on top of them, mostly the weight of their large trunk and leaf canopy, Their trunk in fact is the result of the fusion of multiple leaves, hardened over the lifetime of the organism forming a sturdy trunk from which new branches with smaller thin leaves grow. Being armored with spikes and large talons, they can employ them if they get harassed by any herbivore. Their main predators being Tenorsaurs, Crantitans, Ruby Bugpigs and other smaller herbivores depending on the islands they may inhabit. Usually, a single strong kick is enough for most large herbivores to back away, as a plant that can defend itself is not worth the hassle, but if they continue to harass the plant, they will employ their three smaller claws and take a fighting stance, standing on two legs and lifting the third exposing their claws, they will hiss at their potential predator to back away. *A terrifying display that most animals fear and learn to avoid the weird legged trees within this islandic environment*. While not adapted at all to swim between the islands, and thus as adults being completely trapped within their singular island, they have been found within many islands in the Luci archipelago, and are in fact incredibly good island hoppers, not because of their swimming capabilities but because of their *spores*. These largest of scattergrasses, like every other scattergrass, have a long appendage that bears their airborne spores, *like dandelion seeds these spores fly off into the wind for kilometers landing all over different islands and letting the Bamboo-walkers be one of the most widespread species in the Luci archipelago.*

They usually go to the tallest and most open regions of their islands, and can be seen in large groups spreading their spores into the wind, multiple individuals from small 1 meter tall younglings to some of the *largest and oldest individuals that can reach up to 10 meters tall*. These enormous and enigmatic lifeforms are definitely a defining feature of these environments, and even if they were named after Abaddon, they have spread over the whole archipelago, showcasing their ability to thrive in these islandic environments.