The Gateway Lily (Na'vi name: Ekxanwll) is an expansive plant that begins its growth along the upper interiors of caves. It consists of a primary body with one large leaf. This leaf extends outwards, often growing within the circumference of the cave's entry point. This is a defense mechanism that limits the pathways predators have to reach the main body of the planimal.
Across the plant's body are a series of larger pollen buds, each with thick roots protruding from them. These roots grow out into an extensive network across a large area. At their ends, they each have a small bud filled with pollen, and a small plant body.
The gateway lily sends electrical signals along its root structure to the smaller plants in its system. When the plant's buds detect external pressure, perhaps caused by a nearby predator, the plant's leaves retract in defense. This starts a chain reaction in which all the buds across the root emit a puff of pollen as the root structure itself retracts back to the planimal body. To save energy, the largest bud does not retract until all the buds have been retracted, thus confirming that a predator is nearby. The released pollen then clings to the predator, allowing the gateway lily to propagate elsewhere.
If all of the root branches are caused to retract, the planimal will make a last-ditch effort to avoid further harm. It does this by retracting its largest leaf near the planimal body in order to make itself appear as small as possible.
The gateway lily's main planimal body grows on the ceilings of caves, with its large roots extending out of it to nearby natural formations. These roots can grow along all surfaces found across the forests of the Western Frontier.
Na'vi Culture[]
Aranahe Na'vi have learned how to carefully navigate around a gateway lily without causing damage to the planimal itself. In doing so, they make an effort to collect the vibrant pollen for use in their paints and dyes.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Gameplay[]
Gateway lilies are used in a few environmental puzzles through the story of Frontiers of Pandora. A gateway lily blocks the path up the ikran rookery in the quest Take Flight, and another blocks the entrance to Anufi's refuge in the quest Shadows of the Past.
To open a gateway lily, the player must follow the woody vines extending away from the main body of the planimal. At the end of these vines lies a larger bud which can be shot with an arrow or touched. Once all the larger buds have been interacted with, the main body of the gateway lily opens up and the player can continue through the passage.