The Cloud Spitter (Na'vi name: hiupwopx) likes to grow on grasslands and thrives when buffeted by strong winds, away from areas of shade and tree cover. Most of the cloud spitter's mass is held in a single, bulbous flower which grows slumped in the direction of the prevailing breeze. Within this flower matures a pointed seedpod which emerges from the top of the tightly closed flower when ripe.
In this fruiting state, the Cloud Spitters roots and body are highly sensitive movement and contact. When disturbed, the cloud spitter’s flower “explodes” and its highly elastic cell walls catapult seed pods in a long, high arc, leaving a cloudy trail of floating on the breeze. This dramatic example of ballistic seed dispersal gives the Cloud Spitter its name.
Thriving on the windswept plains of the Veldt, cloud spitters are often found in long grass. Sunshine is required to ripen its fruit and develop its distinctive flower pod.
The seed of the explosive cloud spitter is encased in a nodular, armored shell. It is well adapted to survive a tough landing after being ejected from its parent plant.
Na'vi Culture[]
The seed of the cloud spitter is a staple food of Na'vi that inhabit the upper plains, and wise harvesters can predict where ejected seeds can be found and easily gathered.
Young Na'vi children make a game of trying to sneak close to a cloud spitter without triggering an ejection, and then chasing the flying seed when they inevitably fall.
Clan elders encourage this game as they consider it a good introduction to hunting skills for their young.
See also[]
Gallery[]
Sources[]
- Pandorapedia
- Hunter's Guide in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.