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Here, I will be posting the different types of plant life on Pandora.

Baja Tickler

The Baja Tickler resembles no plant growth form on Earth and is unique on Pandora. It has been described as something like a large hollow tree that grows at an incline. A cluster of large spiny leaves adorn the top, and large roots extend out from the underside of the stem, growing into the soil and helping to anchor and prop up the plant. The surface is rough and green due to to a dense covering of small mosslike plants that can withstand high temperatures and harsh conditions.

The Baja Tickler is one of the most important plants on Pandora. It is also one of the most dangerous. It plays an important role on the moon by helping to detoxify the atmosphere. Toxic gases (mostly volcanic in origin) are absorbed into the plant body, where they dissolve into a pool of watery liquid that accumulates inside. This primeval 'soup' periodically builds up pressure and temperature and is squirted explosively in a toxic plume from the top of the plant. The Na'vi recognize both the value and potential danger of the plant and mainly avoid it. The Na'vi name for it is Txumtsa'wll, or "poison-squirting plant".

Octoshroom

Octoshrooms (Na'vi name: Torukspxam, meaning "great leonopteryx fungus") are large mushroom-like organisms that live on Pandora. They are bioluminescent and extremely toxic. These fungi possess a giant underground filament network that enable them to feed.



Some botanists believe that the octoshroom's immense size is due to the dense atmosphere and low gravity of Pandora. Other scientists, however, attribute its gigantism to irradiation resulting from underground exposure to xenon isotopes and radioactive uranium oxides. Most of the body lives underground as the mycelia network.



To reproduce, octoshrooms release spores that germinate and grow filaments wherever they land.



Some mycelia penetrate plant roots to absorb carbohydrates while providing the body with a greater supply of mineral nutrients. Octoshrooms are able to absorb and break down nearly everything in the soil such as chlorine, ammonia, and methane.



Following the 1986 Chernobyl incident on Earth, a similar fungus was discovered, but not fully understood. When scientists realized that the octoshroom used ionizing radiation as energy for growth, scientists were able to further understand the metabolism of the Chernobyl fungus. Because it is an effective antivenom, there are currently studies underway regarding the octoshroom in the pharmaceutical and bioremediation industries.



The Na'vi use the octoshroom's roots to make tea. It is a powerful antivenom effective against the sting of many venomous animals. Too much tea, however, has been proven toxic and sometimes lethal.



It is possible that octoshroom spores have stowed away on an interstellar vehicle and germinated on Earth. However, no specimens have been found and data regarding its survival in the terran atmosphere is incomplete. Some believe that an octoshroom "forest" in Nevada could help restore the entire region.

The Hometree

Hometrees (Na'vi name: Kelutral) are massive trees that can be found throughout Pandora. Many Na'vi clans, such as the Omaticaya and the Tipani make their home in these enormous plants.

Each Hometree has enough room to comfortably accommodate the members of one Na'vi clan, approximately 1,500 Na'vi. It is where the clan members sleep, eat, work, and learn. Because there are no cases of Na'vi overpopulation on Pandora, they have no need to expand beyond their Hometree to conquer more territory, as resources are plentiful.

The Omaticaya Hometree is located above a rich deposit of unobtanium, putting the Na'vi in quite the quandary when it comes to the RDA's interests in the value of said mineral. In Avatar, the Hometree of the Omaticaya clan was obliterated by the RDA's security forces, forcing the remaining Na'vi to relocate.

Tree of voices

The Tree of Voices (Na'vi name: Utral Aymokriyä) was the next most important tree to the Na'vi after the Tree of Souls. Its appearance is similar and it too is illuminated. It allows the Na'vi to hear the voices of their ancestors and it is the location where Jake and Neytiri choose each other as mates. It is destroyed in the first human attack on the Na'vi.

Unidelta Tree

The Unidelta Tree (also called Magellum Deltoids), is a small tree found on Pandora. It has the Na'vi name Tsawlapxangrr or "tall large root."

The unidelta tree, closely related to the delta tree, has one important difference. Its leaves are not toxic, however it roots are highly toxic. When the two species trees grow close together their roots form connections underground and then the toxin from the unidelta tree passes on to the delta tree, making its roots toxic as well.

These two Magellum species have coevolved a mutualistic relationship that benefits them both. The unidelta tree shares its root toxin with the delta tree, which does not need to expend energy making its own, and the delta tree shares nutrients with the unidelta tree. The only sign that toxin has been transfered is a subtle change in the bioluminescense of the tree leaves at night, which the Na'vi have learned to identify. Animals have also learned to avoid feeding on the roots of both trees, making it an excellent defense mechanism for both plants.

The unidelta tree wood is harvested to make canoes, and the thick waxy leaf cuticle is melted down and used for waterproofing. The leaves themselves, which are non-toxic are then used to make bowls, since they are naturaly waterproofed. The spines are then used by the Na'vi to make tools, as well as weapons for hunting and fishing. Because of their close array, the unidelta tree is the tree of choice for a performance of the pendulum drums.