Seawort

Seawort (genus Mareverruca) is an aquatic plant descended from glasswort. Seawort fields are found in the shallow waters of the Adzanian isles, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Red Sea, the coastal waters of Europe, North and East Africa, as well as the indo-pacific. They are descended from common glasswort.

Evolution

Glasswort are naturally salt tolerant, live near the sea, and grow in sandy soil, so it's no wonder that they would become fully aquatic plants. As sea levels rose, glasswort slowly got used to a completely aquatic life by adapting to taking root in the shifting substrate and adjusting to taking in sunlight underwater. In the early Calidocene, Seawort were beginning to become more treelike and could have easily taken over coastal ecosystems by filling the spot once held by the mangroves. Early Seawort were outcompeted by saltrees due to saltrees having more lignen, which helped them withstand the elements while the early Seawort trees crumbled.

Biology

Seawort live in shallow waters such as sunken lowlands, sunken island seamounts, saltree forests, and reefs. They measure in at about 10 inches in height. The roots grow deep to avoid constant uprooting. The stalk is jointed, just like with glasswort today, however it doesn't branch off as much as it does in modern glasswort. Joints in the stalk help Seawort stay stable while ocean currents batter against them. Seawort remained as a succulent during it's evolution The leaves are very small, but they poke out along the stalks, giving the plant a textured appearance. Despite the leaves being small, the entire plant is covered in them. The whole plant being covered in leaves gives the plant a greater photosynthetic surface area, which is perfect for capturing sunlight underwater. 

During fall and winter, Seawort turn from a bright green to a blood red coloration. When Spring comes once again, the Seawort fields reproduce. When the flowers are pollinated, the negative buoyant seeds sink to the bottom where the current or sea creatures bury them in the sand where they form new plants. Seawort also reproduce by sprouting roots from cuttings, just like most other succulents.

Ecology

Seawort fields are rich in biodiversity and are home to several endemic species. They provide shelter from predators as well as an ample food source for many creatures. Many species will use Seawort fields as breeding grounds as their eggs will be protected and the hatchlings will be sheltered from the harsh ocean. Some of smaller creatures help to pollinate the Seawort while they eat its pollen.

 The creatures of the Seawort fields are responsible for keeping the Calidocene running. Without everything constantly eating Seawort, the short-lived Seawort would form a carbon sink. A carbon sink forming in the Seawort fields could possibly end the warm and humid atmosphere of the Calidocene and make the Earth's climate more temperate.