Cradle Shootroot

-| Feature | Details |+| Property | Details | | :--- | :--- | | **Type** | Anchored | | **Category** | Starfish | | **Species** | *shootroot cunabulum* | | **Attitude** | Passive | | **Biome** | Shallows |  -![Cradle Shootroot](Cradle Shootroot.png)+![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 crafted using the Habitat Builder.+The Cradle Shootroot can be placed using the Habitat Builder.  -| Ingredient | Count |-| :--- | :--- |-| Lucifer Rotsac | 1 |+| Machine | Ingredients | Result |+| :--- | :--- | :--- |+| Habitat Builder | 1x Lucifer Rotsac | Cradle Shootroot |  -**Result:** Cradle Shootroot-  ## Databank Entry  -**Source:** Scan a Cradle Shootroot+> **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.*+![A Cradle Shootroot with Lucifer Rotsac inside.](Cradle_Shootroot_1.png)+*A Cradle Shootroot with Lucifer Rotsac inside.*  -![Cradle Shootroot with and without their symbiotes.](Cradle Shootroot 2.png)-*Cradle Shootroot with and without their symbiotes.*+![A comparison of Cradle Shootroot with and without a symbiote.](Cradle_Shootroot_2.png)+*A comparison of Cradle Shootroot with and without a symbiote.*  -![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.*+![An empty Cradle Shootroot.](Cradle_Shootroot_3.png)+*An empty Cradle Shootroot.*