Skywrack

Skywracks are a gigantic plant from Orion's Arm.

Physiology
Skywracks come from the planet Trees. They can grow up to a kilometer in height, and have several canopy layers. The uppermost of these being supported by gas-bladders. Each canopy layer hosts its own distinct ecology of animals and epiphytes. Strong vines anchor the tops of the trees against the relatively light winds on this low gravity world. Individual Skywracks may have 20-30 trunks, and many more anchor vines.

Water for the uppermost parts of the tree(basically anything above 180 meters high) is collected in large aerial ponds that capture rain and guide it to the reservoirs through spiral watercourses running down the trunks. Because of this, they are highly dependant on rainfall and only areas where it is abundant can the larger species grow. There are some species that grow in the shallow seas of planet Trees, these have sturdy underwater root systems.

It is difficult to see far at ground level in skywrack forests because the various trunks and leaves and branches block out the foreground, while the canopy block out the sunlight(because of this, there is almost no photosynthesis, either. Instead, the understory has a decomposer-detritivore based ecology which is supported by dead leaves, animal droppings etc from above, with many organisms able to burrow or live underground as protection against forest fires. The seed-pods of skywracks are often massive, and so the fires are needed to trigger growth.

The locals often use the seed-pods in crafts, as gourds or carved into various forms, and even the largest of which are hollowed into one room dwellings, called plakts.

Skywracks are home to a number of arthropod-like species, including the semi-sapient Pspyders, and the Honeywhips.