Floran Physiology

Content
Preface
General Physiology

Respiration
Photosynthesis
Habitat
Skeletal Structure
Metabolism
Regeneration
Circulation​

Senses

Sight
Hearing
Smell
Taste
Touch​

Dry Sap
Reproduction

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Preface
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Florans are often regarded as the intergalactic apex predator, a species of proud and powerful hunters. But who are the Floran really? Are they defined by their savage ways? Or are they perhaps a unique specimen in the ever-changing circle of life? The Floran have been a fascinating subject of study to biologists for decades. Their rapid development, physiology and way of life are practically an embodiment of Darwinian theory. Almost every aspect of Floran life and culture always boils down to “survival of the fittest”.

General Physiology
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In order to discuss the unique biological makeup of this species one must first address the term “plantoid”.
Plantoids are a group of organisms, that have evolved in a radically different way than the more traditional members of the plant kingdom.

Florans are plantoids. As such, some aspects of their physiology are remarkably similar to that of members of the animal kingdom. More specifically, Florans resemble other bipedal humanoid species. The basic parts of the Floran body are the head, neck, torso, arms and legs. Other body parts include the Floran's foliage, flower(s), etc... Despite to the striking similarities Florans have come to share with their animal counterparts, their true origins as plant-based lifeforms are readily apparent.

Respiration
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The Floran respiratory process functions mostly like one would expect.
Florans breathe a mixture of gasses, primarily compsed from oxygen and carbon dioxide.
These gasses are required to allow the Florans to participate in the processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis.

Gas exchange, primarily an automated process, occurs through pores known as "stomates". These stomates are located on the skin, leaves and other organs. Additionally, Florans are also able to control their inhalation and exhalation, which has allowed them to be develop the ability of speech, to facilitate communication between other members of their species. Florans have also developed vocal chords for this purpose.

Oxygen and carbon dioxide are spread throughout the Floran’s body through diffusion, a process which is also responsible for the regulation of their body temperature. Florans are capable to function during a period of suspended respiration. They can hold their breath for more or less the same amount of time as an average human adult.

Photosynthesis
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While the process of photosynthesis within Florans is fairly standard, the product is relatively unique to their species, even among other plantoids. Floran photosynthesis allows for the production of a special substance, containing a high concentration of nutrients and special hormones, which enhances their phloem sap. This rather mysterious substance is gradually released into the Floran’s system and allows for increased physical prowess or in rare cases, enhanced mental capabilities. In turn the absence of this substance can prove detrimental for a Floran’s physical and mental health.

Additionally, one should keep in mind that despite the advantages the Florans gain from photosynthesis there are also some rather significant disadvantages assosciated with it.
When the process of photosynthesis is concluded, transpiration occurs. This results in a loss of water vapour, which can prove problematic in case this loss isn’t compensated through inhalation of humid air or water consumption.

Habitat
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Many observations have confirmed that Floran tribes tend to avoid planets with certain undesirable climates. They tend to avoid the following biome types: magma oceans, volcanic landmasses, arctic, tundra, snow, sunless, airless, dry savannahs and deserts. This is mostly due to the extreme climates they represent, as they are more sensitive to these environments than others.

As mentioned previously, Florans tend to lose a significant amount of water vapour as a result of photosynthesis. Contrary to another plantoid, the Trictus, Florans haven’t evolved to withstand prolonged exposure to drought, which can leave Florans in a mummified, barely living state, before they eventually succumb to the elements, crumbling to dust. This is the reason why it is vitally important for Florans to remain properly hydrated at all costs.

Additionally, due to the way the Floran body regulates body temperature, they are also extremely susceptible to hypothermia as a result of cold temperatures. This is an issue a simple fur coat won’t be able to remedy.

Finally one must emphasize the importance of natural light to a Floran. It allows them to partake in photosynthesis, a process which proves to be vital to sustain the Floran biology. Prolonged absence of sunlight will result in them being unable to partake in photosynthesis. This will cause them to grow weaker and increasingly agitated as a result.

Skeletal Structure
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A Floran’s skeletal structure is strikingly similar to that of other humanoids, which isn’t all that surprising. Its bones are infused with lignin, giving it a wood-like appearance. This unique structure causes them to be more flexible and less prone to fractures, yet more flammable than conventional bones. Additionally, their bone marrow contains a starch-like substance.

Similar to some insects, a Floran’s jaw is outfitted with strong mandibles, which share the same colouration as their skin and are commonly used for cracking bones open, in order to consume bone marrow, or for performing similar tasks. The mouth is filled with a vast amount of sharp, tiny, yet durable teeth. These teeth have a brownish colouration, as they are made from a similar material as the rest of the Floran skeleton.

It is also worth mentioning that despite the fact that Floran’s jaw muscles have evolved to be powerful enough to snap bones, the muscles responsible for opening the jaw are comparatively much weaker. As a result, an average adult can hold a Floran's jaws shut bare-handed.

Metabolism
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Another area where plantoids differ a lot from traditional plant-life is their metabolism.
In nature, plants are known for their ability to regenerate. However, this is a rather slow process, as a result of their comparatively slow metabolism. This of course would prove detrimental to the lifestyle of a mobile, carnivorous plant which feeds on prey.

In order to speed up this regenerative process, Florans have developed an extremely accelerated metabolism. This results in the fact that they are required to eat large quantities of food in order to sustain themselves. Another result of this increased metabolism, is that despite the fact that Florans are plant-based organisms, often compared and slightly similar to trees in some ways, do not live quite as long as a tree, possessing a lifespan of around 300 years old. However, most Florans don't live long enough to die of old age, as a result of their way of life.

Florans are carnivores and as such, their digestive process is similar to that most carnivorous predators. They have saliva, with strong enzymes to aid in the digestive process, paired with potent stomach acids. As a result of this highly efficient digestive process, a Floran’s stomach lining has to be thick and able to quickly absorb nutrients that have been digested. Waste is accumulated and is lead through the intestinal tract as it is eventually expelled from the Floran’s body.

Because a Floran’s stomach is filled with exceptionally potent digestive acids, they are capable of consuming raw meat without a problem, despite preferring the taste of cooked meat. Coupled with other unique aspects of their physiology, Florans are immune to some diseases and resistant to some toxins which would harm animals. However, Florans are also vulnerable to other pathogens that specifically target plant life and other substances that would have a harmful effect on other plants.

Florans, despite being classified as carnivores, occasionally eat some plants, however these are generally other plantoids, fellow Florans, or a few exceptions, like the Oculemon, which has a texture that is very similar to that of a large animal’s eye or a Pussplum, which resembles a bloody chunk of meat, with a juicy, yet fruity taste.

Regeneration
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Resulting from their rapid metabolism, the Floran healing process is known for its remarkable regenerative abilities. However, it may be hindered or completely halted by multiple factors: malnutrition, drought, cold temperatures, burn wounds, frostbite or even severe psychological trauma. It is also worth mentioning, while this regenerative process is certainly nothing to scoff at, it does take a long time to complete and relies on a Floran’s ability to keep itself fed and rested throughout the regenerative process. For example; under optimal circumstances, regenerating a hand may take up to a week, whereas regenerating an entire limb may take up to a month.

However, despite the fact that Florans are generally a hardy species and can recover from serious wounds, if the damage dealt to the Floran body overwhelms their regenerative capabilities, or if their vital, internal organs, which they can't fully regenerate, are damaged, they will almost certainly perish.

It is also one of the reasons why cybernetic replacements are considered impractical.
Despite the fact that the cybernetics would need to have been adapted to become compatible with the Floran nervous system specifically, the process of regeneration would interfere with the integration of the cybernetics with the Floran body.

Circulation
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Contrary to common belief, Florans do possess a heart, at least in a biological sense. It is essential for the proper circulation of sap through a Floran’s body. Sap runs through stems and a network of tubes branching from them, similar to the network or arteries and veins in animals. However, unlike most animal lifeforms, this sap, although similar to blood in that it transports nutrients and water, does not transport oxygen.

Additionally, when a Floran suffers a wound that results in bleeding, their sap will function similarly to blood when exposed to the air. Due to a process similar to coagulation, these wounds are rapidly sealed off, allowing the healing process to start.​

Senses
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Sight
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It has been established that plants are capable of detecting colours. While Florans seem to possess monochromatic eyes, they are not colour blind. The eyes are responsible for providing a Floran a picture, which is necessary to put the colours they receive from sensory information into context.

Additionally, Florans possess a form of natural night vision, to help them hunt in the dark.
However, their night vision doesn't provide them with sufficient sensory information required to tell colours apart, therefor they are colourblind when there is a lack of light.

Hearing
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Similar to the Floran’s sense of sight, their sense of hearing receives its sensory information from multiple sources. Visible on either side of the Floran’s head, Florans have inner ears, similar to those of humans but without the outer ear. Additionally, Florans sense vibrations through their roots, which enhances their hearing. This also allows them to sense an upcoming earthquake, much like some animals.

Smell
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Florans possess a forked tongue similar to that of a snake in terms of functionality, resulting in an extremely keen sense of smell, which allows them to gain a directional sense of smell and taste simultaneously. This in turn grants them heightened abilities to identify prey, recognize kin, choose mates, locate shelters, follow trails and more. An organ similar to the terrestrial Jacobson organ is located in the Floran's inner mouth, near where one would expect to find a nose, should Florans possess this sensory organ.

This forked tongue is also the main cause for the infamous Floran lisp. When a Floran lisps, it is a result of them attempting to speak whilst also reflexively trying to smell the area. This reflex can be suppressed, but requires a conscious effort and quite a lot of practice from the Floran. In addition, it will never fully go away. Other species will still be able to notice the distinctive lisp, although it will be far less of an actual speech impediment.

Taste
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As previously stated, Florans are capable of experiencing a sense of taste, from smelling prey, due to their forked tongue. In addition to this, Florans have a highly developed palate for meaty and sweet foods as a result of their physiological needs.

Touch
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Florans have smooth skin, which is more durable when compared with the human equivalent. Their nervous system seems to be more sensitive to temperature than average. In contrast however, Florans seem to have a higher tolerance for pain. Burns and frostbite may cause a Floran to lose their sense of touch on the affected areas permanently.

It’s also worth mentioning that, despite its clear similarities to the nervous systems in other animals, their body parts are incompatible with regular cybernetics, resulting in the necessity of specialised cybernetics, developed specifically to replace Floran body parts that have been burnt away.​

Mental Capabilities
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Florans are widely thought to be a species of naïve, savage, simple and generally unintelligent beings. Unfortunately this proves to be true for most Florans, as some do seem to have potential, however, due to the ruthless process of natural selection, from the moment they are born, not many Florans gifted with an exceptional mind reach adulthood.

However, Florans are generally somewhat clever, or at least more than they get credit for. Despite the fact that Floran society discourages the pursuit of knowledge and instead glorifies the Hunt, Floran wisemen and shamans are held in high regard among their kin, as they generally manage to reach an above average age, as many other Florans die in the Hunt.

Contrary to one’s expectations, due to Floran society not supporting organised education, or rather, seemingly attempting to actively thwart it, some exceptional Florans generally succeed in reverse engineering stolen technology, which their kin is all too eager to put to use, if it can be of use to them on their next hunt.

Dry Sap
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A substance that is similar to Avian crystals, in terms of its mysterious nature and scarce availability, was pioneered by Greenfinger to become the wonder drug that would allow Florans to expand their habitat, by injecting Drysap into their system, is a very dangerous substance. While it does allow a Floran to survive for an extended period of time in warm, dry climates, it has a wide array of terrible side-effects, unknown to most Florans.

Drysap quickly reproduces within Floran veins, replacing their own with a stronger, hardier substance that leaves the Floran body requiring almost no water. Unfortunately, this is no miracle serum… Florans are bound to reject the serum sooner or later and will suffer severely from its side-effects. Those whose bodies reject the Drysap soon grow frustrated and antisocial, reporting visions and night terrors. Additionally Florans may experience a loss in appetite and spirit and as rejection continues, these Florans will grow increasingly aggressive and confused, until they eventually go insane.

It is noteworthy that after having been injected with Drysap, it is still possible for a Floran to recover, so long the harmful side-effects haven’t yet set in. After a period of experiencing some harsh withdrawal symptoms and forced bed rest, at this stage most Florans will make a complete recovery. However, the further the stage of rejection has progressed and the longer a Floran has been using Drysap, the more risky and unlikely a full recovery becomes.

Rejection of the Drysap is triggered, as it attempts to mutate Florans into something different.
As a result photosynthesis is completely discontinued within these Florans, which would cause them to grow weak if it weren’t for the Drysap’s influence. Instead the sap sustains their strength, hardens their skin and allows them to withstand the drought. It would seem that the more intelligent the Floran, the more rapidly their physiology seems to reject the substance.

Some Florans have been recorded to have undergone some form of transformation as a result of multiple mutations caused by the repeated usage of Drysap. Their body becomes covered in a tough, bark-like substance, which is somewhat resistant to fire, similar to the bark of a Baobab. These Florans have been referred to as “the Oaken soldiers”.

Due to its addictive and destructive qualities, Drysap usage has been banned and is only to be used by the Greenguard, in the Dust. At least there, any Floran who succumbs to its side-effects can be marched straight into a cell.

Reproduction
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The issue of sex, in Florans is often quite deceptive, as Florans aren’t a species with binary division of males and females and are in fact a hermaphroditic species, comparable to a “perfect flower”. However, Florans have, throughout their rapid evolution, come in contact with other humanoid species and have adopted different methods of hunting, dividing the species in two different types.

At first glance, members of other species would assume that Florans are divided into males and females. As previously explained, this is false. Often colloquially referred to as Orchids and Roses, these two types often share some physical resemblance with males and female members respectively, of the mammalian humanoids they have preyed upon, particularly Apex and more recently, humans.

As a result, this deceptive appearance has also influenced the Floran’s behaviour, which attributes male and female mannerisms to the pseudo-males and -females respectively. In terms of gender identity, most Florans, when asked about this, will conform to the gender of the sex they appear to be. So, socially and psychologically, Florans can be divided into two genders, however they all technically share the same sex. The more effeminate members of this species often rearrange the foliage located on their torso, to create the illusion of possessing breasts.

Florans typically reproduce sexually with a partner, thus they partake in cross pollination. However, in rare cases, Florans have been known to self-pollinate. Florans instinctively realise that cross pollination is superior to self-pollination, as well as the other advantages of this method.

Contrary to popular belief, progeny that resulted from self-pollination is not a clone of its parent, due to the homologous recombination that takes place during meiosis, the DNA in these specimens will not be identical to the DNA of the parent Floran. Therefor it might be more accurate to compare them with a sibling than it is to compare them with a clone, in terms of genetic similarity.

Florans are known to reproduce at an astounding rate, which has resulted them often being contemptuously compared to weeds. The amount of offspring a Floran has at a time depends on a few key factors: the abundance of prey, quality of nearby soil, population and tribal tradition. It is common practice among tribes, when there is an abundance of new sprouts (Floran younglings), to have them fight each other to the death, to weed out the weak.

After reproduction, a seed is planted, often at a tribal birthing ground with fertile soil and in a clearing, as to allow sunlight to reach the cocoon-plant wherein the Floran develops at an astounding rate. Florans become semi-conscious only after reaching a late state of development within the cocoon, which explains their child-like mental age despite already being able to communicate with their kin. Upon emerging from this cocoon, a Floran has reached what is considered the physical equivalent of a 16 year old, in humans. Despite the fact that they considered pretty well developed upon hatching, there is a lot of mental growth, and to a lesser extend physical growth, that still occurs after a Floran has hatched.

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