A proud specimen of Cactoida Cortexum – Teal. Image courtesy of Cmdr. Arras DeCairo

Photosynthetic organisms that have adapted to extreme conditions by reducing their surface area to volume ratio, thereby protecting more sensitive tissues from exposure. The outer layer is formed from specialised light-transmitting cells. These are filled with an insulating hydrophobic layer, which helps to maintain core temperature and liquid retention. Deep, extensive root structures hold the organisms in place, and facilitate the extraction of trace minerals. Some Cactoida Species feature explosive seed distribution as a method of reproduction.

Cactoida seem to favour flat or slightly undulating terrain, with the exception of Peperatis which appears to be a hill and low mountainside-loving Species

Variant Determinant: Stellar Class

Stellar Class and Variant 

Stellar Class

O

B

A

F

G

K

M

L

T

TTS

Ae

Y

W

D

N

Variant

Gy

Gr

Ye

Te

Am

Mv

Or

Re

Oc

In

Tu

Sg

Planetary Body Type: High Metal Content or Rocky
Atmosphere: Ammonia, Carbon Dioxide or Water
Gravity: Less than 0.29G

Minimum Colonial Separation: 300m

Species

Species Name	Percentage of recorded Cactoida Population	Vista Genomics Offer Price as at 31st March 3310
Cactoida Cortexum	23.94%	3,667,600
Cactoida Lapis	35.49%	2,483,600
Cactoida Peperatis	14.08%	2,483,600
Cactoida Pullulanta	10.14%	3,667,600
Cactoida Vermis	16.34%	16,202,800

Cactoida Cortexum

A Species of Cactoida that can reach over three metres in height. They are composed of multiple growths that sprout sealed pods at their peaks, which open up to distribute seeds.

Planetary Body Type: High Metal Content (22%) or Rocky (78%)
Atmosphere: Carbon Dioxide
Volcanism: None

Temperature Pressure Gravity

	Minimum	Average	Mode	Maximum
Temperature (K)	158.67	185.84	181.00	195.38
Pressure (atm)	0.001186936	0.062456767	0.054149183	0.098681937
Gravity (G)	0.04	0.18	0.19	0.27

Galactic Arm Preference: Orion-Cygnus Arm including Odin’s Hold and Galactic Centre

Cactoida Lapis

This Species of Cactoida appears as a squat growth with a latticed upper surface, which eventually produces a cluster of seed pods.

Planetary Body Type: High Metal Content (28%) or Rocky (72%)
Atmosphere: Ammonia
Volcanism: Insignificant

Temperature Pressure Gravity

	Minimum	Average	Mode	Maximum
Temperature (K)	160.00	168.08	171.00	176.64
Pressure (atm)	0.000986988	0.002200323	0.001189253	0.013255091
Gravity (G)	0.04	0.18	0.14	0.28

Galactic Arm Preference: Sagittarius-Carina Arm including Odin’s Hold and Galactic Centre

Cactoida Peperatis

This Cactoida Species appears as a swollen five-sided growth, reaching over two metres high and topped with an intersected crown. It is only found in ammonia atmospheres.

Planetary Body Type: High Metal Content (18%) or Rocky (82%)
Atmosphere: Ammonia
Volcanism: Insignificant

Temperature Pressure Gravity

	Minimum	Average	Mode	Maximum
Temperature (K)	160.00	168.13	171.00	176.66
Pressure (atm)	0.000986994	0.002216048	0.001041191	0.013386672
Gravity (G)	0.04	0.17	0.14	0.28

Galactic Arm Preference: Scutum-Centaurus Arm including Odin’s Hold and Galactic Centre

Cactoida Pullulanta

This Species of Cactoida, exclusively found in carbon dioxide atmospheres, has a globular base, from which extend vertical cylinders that can reach over four metres. Rounded pods grow in clusters along the cylinders, which break open to scatter seeds.

Planetary Body Type: High Metal Content (24%) or Rocky (76%)
Atmosphere: Carbon Dioxide
Volcanism: None

Temperature Pressure Gravity

	Minimum	Average	Mode	Maximum
Temperature (K)	180.00	186.01	181.00	195.39
Pressure (atm)	0.025763644	0.062834116	0.039868221	0.098675701
Gravity (G)	0.04	0.18	0.2	0.27

Galactic Arm Preference: Perseus Arm including Ryker’s Hope and Galactic Centre

Cactoida Vermis

This Cactoida Species appears as a tall collection of cylinders linked by an undulating membrane and topped with a spiky crown. They often have a spiny life-form attached that is thought to form a symbiotic relationship with the larger organism, although the nature of this is not understood. Vermis is the most heat-tolerant of Cactoida, as is to be expected given its requirement for a Water atmospheres. and far exceeds other Species of the Genera.

Planetary Body Type: High Metal Content (25%) or Rocky (75%)
Atmosphere: Water
Volcanism: Insignificant

Temperature Pressure Gravity

	Minimum	Average	Mode	Maximum
Temperature (K)	160.04	424.05	417.00	449.99
Pressure (atm)	0.001119110	0.082247331	0.079272525	0.098691132
Gravity (G)	0.04	0.05	0.05	0.27

Galactic Arm Preference: No Preference