Yggdrasilus apocalyptus (colloquially known as the World Tree) is a megafloral phenomenon located on the planet Babylon (in System <DATA EXPUNGED>). Classification of this plant within a modern taxonomic system has proved elusive, due to its irregular genetic lineage wrought by copious genetic manipulation.

A vigorous, hardy, and highly invasive plant created as a planet-scale biowarfare agent, a single “Tree” is capable of converting entire continents into a forest comprising a single organism. This is achieved through the initial tree’s generation of stolons and adventitious roots, which swiftly produce a functional tree above. The plant’s phenotypic expression is extremely plastic, demonstrating great adaptability and even possible chemo/thermosynthetic processes to tap into geothermal activity in a bid to outcompete other plants.

A mature apocalyptus is also characterised by its motile fruit, which possess limited psionic manipulation of plants, including of apocalyptus itself. Most appear predatory but not carnivorous, demonstrating a similar adaptability in form to kill any range of herbivores which may predate upon the Tree.

Only one such individual has survived off-planet, a comparatively non-aggressive creature with superior sensory organs and apparent intelligence. The fruit appears mostly amicable, albeit uninterested in attempts to communicate or perform trials, unless the grapefruit-sized presumed-seed pods (not pictured in the attached three-dimensional reconstructions) embedded in the creature’s gut, forearms, shoulders, and tail are given undue interest. 

The research vessel Orontes, carrying the sample,is currently barred from docking with any Civ-Ships or entering the Orbital Region of any Tier II or higher planet.

Sharpedo

stop that