Alias: Dustthorn
Origin: Coastal Thazvaar (deserts, coastal dunes)
The Coasthorn, also known as Dustthorn, is a low-growing gray shrub of Coastal Thazvaar’s deserts and dunes. Its dew-condensing thorns and bitter, edible pulp provide critical survival resources in arid coastal regions. The plant condenses fog moisture into its thorny structure and retains it for small fauna. Thazvaari tribes used its pulp for sustenance and its thorns for temporary fencing. Its presence indicates stable, dew-rich microclimates useful for surveys and expedition planning.
Grows in sandy dunes and hardpan soils where stalled jet streams and Zhaerys’ magnetic field create fog-prone arid conditions. Anchors in shallow sandy substrates and stabilizes dunes against wind erosion. Absent from inland extreme deserts and humid wetlands.
Found at low elevations, typically sea level to 0.5 km. Rare above 1 km where fog and saline conditions are lacking.
Coastal desert climate averaging 20–40°C by day with nights of 10–20°C. Relies on Zhaerys’ influence for aridity and coastal fog for moisture. Struggles where heavy tidal flooding or high humidity disrupts dew-condensing function.
Adapted to frequent dust storms and heat displacement. Thorns channel wind to reduce erosion and fog-heavy nights trigger dew condensation. Seismic events can destabilize roots; rare stellar disruptions may scorch exposed shrubs.
Lives 15–30 Geban years, with slow growth in the first 5 years and steady thorn production thereafter. Reaches maturity at ~7 Geban years and seeds after rare post-storm moisture spikes.
Mature plants reach 0.5–1 meter in height, with sprawling branches up to 1.5 meters wide. Young plants (under 5 Geban years) are typically 0.2–0.5 meters tall.