Cradle Shootroot

 | Feature | Details | | :--- | :--- | | **Type** | Anchored | | **Category** | Starfish | | **Species** | *shootroot cunabulum* | | **Attitude** | Passive | | **Biome** | Shallows |   ![Cradle Shootroot](Cradle Shootroot.png)   The **Cradle Shootroot** is a small anchored lifeform that lives in a symbiotic relationship with the [[Lucifer Rotsac]] which dwells within the central cavity.   ## Appearance+  The Cradle Shootroot's main body is shaped like a hollow four-pointed star, increasing in width as it grows taller. The body is surrounded by flattened blue projections, radiating outward and bifurcating then ending in forked yellow tips.   ## Recipe-The Cradle Shootroot can be placed using the Habitat Builder.  -| Machine | Ingredients | Result |-| :--- | :--- | :--- |-| Habitat Builder | 1x Lucifer Rotsac | Cradle Shootroot |+The Cradle Shootroot can be crafted using the Habitat Builder.  +| Ingredient | Count |+| :--- | :--- |+| Lucifer Rotsac | 1 |+ +**Result:** Cradle Shootroot+  ## Databank Entry+  **Source:** Scan a Cradle Shootroot   A basket-shaped organism (tentatively *shootroot cunabulum*) with no clear Earthly analog. Anatomically similar to a plastic starfish, or to an opened variety of Earth's extinct blastoids.   ### 1. Animal anatomy+  The flattened, fibrous 'leaves' are the arms of an animal loaded with photosynthetic symbiotes. The central structure houses a digestive system and a hard, sticky cradle (the cunabulum). A second ring of arms grows into the seabed, seeking crevices in the rock.   ### 2. Preferred symbiote+  The cradle is an exchange site with a symbiotic partner (such as the lucifer rotsac). Spectrogenetic analysis suggests the cradle shootroot is younger than the rotsac. It may have originally parasitized free-floating lucifer rotsacs, before evolving a niche as an anchor: providing a refuge and minerals to the rotsac in exchange for a share of the rotsac's fermented food.   ### 3. Plastic fibers+  Although it lacks the true cell walls of Earth plants, the cradle shootroot strengthens its tissues with bioplastic fibers. Too tough to cut by hand, they could be severed by a cutting tool.   **Assessment:** tough fibers could be used to synthesize fabric, possibly food.   ## Gallery+  ![A good look at the 'leaves' and cradle with the Lucifer Rotsac symbiote.](Cradle Shootroot 1.png)+*A good look at the 'leaves' and cradle with the Lucifer Rotsac symbiote.*+  ![Cradle Shootroot with and without their symbiotes.](Cradle Shootroot 2.png)-![The interior of unpopulated specimens. Note the ends of the false leaves blend with the seafloor.](Cradle Shootroot 3.png)+*Cradle Shootroot with and without their symbiotes.*+ +![The interior of unpopulated specimens. Note the ends of the false leaves blend with the seafloor.](Cradle Shootroot 3.png)+*The interior of unpopulated specimens. Note the ends of the false leaves blend with the seafloor.*