The Whip Leaf (Na'vi name: tsìktak) is a plant that uses whip-like vines to defend its fruit from nearby threats.
The whip leaf is a large carnivorous lithophyte that is common throughout the western frontier. It mainly grows at high altitudes on the side of natural rock formations. There, it can trap and consume aerial insects and smaller flying animals.
A web of burrowing roots firmly affixes the whip leaf to rocky terrain. Exposed to the elements, a crown of curving leaves surrounds the plant's woody central stem. Protected at its centre is a blaze fruit.
Insects and animals are drawn to the pungent fruit. When the whip leaf detects the vibrations of nearby wings, its fiercely thorned leaves 'whip' out at great speed, striking the approaching creature. Larger animals are merely struck and discouraged from approaching again, whereas smaller prey is hooked by the thorned leaves and trapped for digestion.
The whip leaf grows by clinging to sheer surfaces, such as cliff faces, stone pillars and floating mountains. However, they have also been found growing on human-made structures if left undisturbed. It flourishes in areas with strong winds and thriving insect populations.
Clans of the western frontier have long harvested the blaze fruit, prized for its distinctive, bittersweet taste. Cautious foragers learn to trigger the whip leaf's natural defences before safely retrieving the fruit. However, the most daring Na'vi ikran riders fly straight in, attempting to pluck a ripe blaze fruit by dodging the whip leaf's strike. Successful riders roll out of the way at the last second, showing off their bravado and agility.