Passplate (Lithoplaca frigida)

Alias: None
Origin: Ngorrhal (mountain passes, glacial slopes)

The Passplate is a low-growing, frost-hardy plant native to Ngorrhal’s mountain passes and glacial slopes, characterized by its broad, plate-like leaves that form dense, ground-hugging rosettes. These leaves, tough and waxy, trap frost and minimize wind erosion, stabilizing Ngorrhal’s fragile soils. Its presence indicates resilient, high-altitude ecosystems capable of supporting sparse flora and fauna in extreme cold.

Terrain

Passplates thrive in Ngorrhal’s high-altitude mountain passes and glacial slopes, rooted in rocky, frost-covered soils with minimal moisture. They are absent in low-altitude, humid, or volcanic biomes.

Lifespan

Passplates live 20–35 years, reaching maturity at 4–6 years and producing small, wind-dispersed seeds during brief calm seasons.

Height

Mature Passplates form rosettes 0.3–0.8 m wide, with leaves reaching 0.1–0.3 m in height. Younger plants (under 4 years) are 0.1–0.4 m wide.

Uses

• Ecological Role: Stabilizes rocky soils, reduces wind erosion, and provides microhabitats for small fauna in Ngorrhal’s harsh ecosystems.
• Cultural Significance: Valued by Frost Sentinels for crafting wind-resistant mats and as trail markers; symbolizes endurance in Ngorrhal’s unforgiving terrain.
• Guidance: Harvest leaves during stable weather to avoid root disturbance; use as natural ground cover or markers during expeditions in Ngorrhal’s passes.

Notes

Documented during the Era of Absolute Expansion (~3,000 years before modern Geba), Passplates were recorded in the Comprehensive Field Codex for their role in stabilizing Ngorrhal’s glacial slopes and passes. Their plate-like leaves and frost tolerance make them essential for ecological balance and practical use in high-altitude survival. Extant and resilient, they remain integral to Ngorrhal’s ecosystems and Frost Sentinel culture.