The Radicoida genus of flora – technically a type of woody plant with bioluminescence and deep roots, and currently can only be found within the HIP 87621 system.
Codex: Radicoida
Huge, incredibly resilient organisms that establish massive underground root systems. These roots extend several hundred meters underground, securing the host organism in place and accessing underground aquifers and nutrient sources in a wide variety of soils. The type of soil, climate and atmosphere is believed to influence certain characteristics of organisms, but key traits appear consistent. While they may share several attributes with fungi – deep roots, bioluminescence, spores, broad upper growths – they are technically a type of woody plant.
Species
Currently, there is only one known species of Radicoida – Radicoida Unica – which can only be found within the HIP 87621 system.
| Species Name | Vista Genomics Offer Price |
|---|---|
| Radicoida Unica | 119,037 |
Data is correct as of 16th November 3311.
Note: From 13th November 3311 until 27th November 3311, the price offered by Vista Geonomics for Radicoida Unica samples have been increased by 8x, to 952,296.
This increase in value is due to a Community Goal being active in the HIP 87621 system, however this increase only applies for samples sold at the Exogene Sciences asteroid base in the HIP 87621 system and only while the CG is active.
Radicoida Unica
Codex: Radicoida Unica
An Radicoida species which has built upon its enormous root systems to lift itself several meters into the air, secured on aerial roots. It is highly insulated against extreme temperatures and resilient in many climates. Large, broad structures in the higher reaches of this organism provide platforms for seed pods, which are capable of firing seeds incredible distances.
Image: Codex – Radicoida Unica
The Radicoida Unica species has only been found within the Permit Locked HIP 87621 system, the permit to the system was given out to Cmdr’s by the permit holder, October Consortium, on the 13th November 3311. More information concerning this can be found in the related article: A Secret to be Uncovered. A Trail to be Followed.
Planetary Information:
| Body Type: | High Metal Content / Rocky |
| Atmosphere: | Thin / Hot Thin – Carbon Dioxide (92.7 – 98.9%) |
| Volcanism: | None / Minor Silicate Vapour |
| Gravity: | 0.05 – 0.38 G |
| Temperature: | 467 – 699 K |
| Pressure: | 0.007 – 0.060 atm |
Note 1: The above information is the minimum and maximum values that are reported when the bodies are surface mapped on the 13th November 3311, as such, it may not match what displayed in the Local Map.
Note 2: As Radicoida Unica has only been discovered on 4 bodies within a single system, the above information may not be accurate for it’s growing conditions.
So far, Radicoida Unica can be found in the “Biological Site” POI’s, and are classed as “Other” signals under the Locations section of the system map, rather than Biology, as such there is no Exobiology overlay available for them.
Below is a table of the known Biological Site POI’s in the HIP 87621 system which contain Radicoida Unica, along with the coordinates and approximate size of each site.
Table: Biological Site POI’s in HIP 87621
| Body | Coordinates | Size |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | -22.4788 / -5.0172 | Small |
| 1 | 5.4780 / -5.8847 | Medium |
| 1 | 80.7999 / 68.2981 | Large |
| 2 a | 38.5455 / 102.0038 | Small |
| 2 a | -51.1748 / 114.8399 | Large |
| 2 a | -37.1704 / -89.1629 | Medium |
| 2 a | 19.0916 / -50.8769 | Small |
| 2 b a | -8.8321 / 70.8260 | Large |
| 2 b a | -18.0296 / 122.6854 | Medium |
| 2 b a | 46.9238 / 72.6814 | Large |
| 2 b a | -10.0768 / 148.7261 | Medium |
| 2 b a | 71.9377 / 8.1711 | Small |
| 2 b a | -48.4039 / -167.4833 | Small |
| 2 b a | 33.9845 / -46.8463 | Small |
| 2 b a | 1.5105 / -66.1404 | Medium |
| 2 b a | -25.7545 / -123.2744 | Small |
| 2 b b | -1.7990 / 95.6869 | Medium |
| 2 b b | 0.3216 / 74.9205 | Small |
| 2 b b | -0.5845 / 128.3468 | Small |
| 2 b b | -8.8179 / 24.7118 | Medium |
| 2 b b | 58.2718 / -173.9599 | Small |
| 2 b b | 67.4392 / -16.9440 | Large |
| 2 b b | -26.0109 / -133.4292 | Large |
Radicoida Unica – Notes and Observations:
When approaching one of the Biological Site’s that contain Radicoida Unica, the first thing that will be noticed is that there is a fog cloud that completely surrounds the site(s).
The sites vary in size, classified as Small, Medium and Large. The larger the site is, the more trees that are present and the larger the radius of the fog cloud.
| Site Size | Approx. Site Radius | Approx. Fog Radius |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 320 m | 575 m |
| Medium | 465 m | 850 m |
| Large | 950 m | 1100 m |
Radicoida Unica appear to be a tree-like species, glowing with a light blue bioluminescence, it’s root system near ground level being similar in appearance to ancient Mangrove tree’s that were once present on Earth.
At its mid-portion, as the roots grow taller they begin to twist around each other forming a trunk and the top portion consisting of a Lily-pad like platform, supported by the upper trunk roots, which is where it’s seed pods can be found.
The trees vary in size, between Short, Medium and Tall.
Short Type
The Shorter type is approx. 5 m tall, does not have a root system visible above ground level, a narrow trunk, and has a small pad with no seed pods.
It should also be noted the Small trees cannot currently be sampled for Exobiology.
Tall Type
The Taller type is approx. 50 m tall, has a large root system visible, a board trunk, however it does not have a pad and as such it also does not have any seed pods, instead, the top of the trunk currently tapers off to a top.
It should also be noted the Tall trees cannot currently be sampled for Exobiology.
Medium Type
The Medium type is up to approx. 30 m tall, has a visible root system, its trunk is around half of the diameter of the Taller tree, it will occasionally twist and coil-up, before reaching a large pad.
On top of the pad there are up to 5 seed pods, held in seed pod bases, however the number of seed pods present seems to vary between 0 – 5 for each medium-sized tree.
A jet of what appears to be water / steam will occasionally erupt from the pods and pod bases on top of certain tree’s, the reason why this happens and why it only happens with certain trees is currently unknown. An observation showed that the eruption seemed to occur approx. every 40-50 sec, however this may vary between pods.
Despite the codex stating that the seed pods “are capable of firing seeds incredible distances”, there have been no observations or recorded instances of this occurring.
Note: Caution should be taken when standing in close proximity to an erupting seed pod.
The root system underneath the medium-sized trees appears to be able to alter the colour of the terrain, although this does not appear to happen with every tree. The medium tree will sometimes have additional bioluminescence when near other trees.
The medium-sized trees can be scanned for an Exobiology sample. The areas where samples can be taken are usually found on the Trunk, on top of Pads, and occasionally on the underneath of the Pads.
On the 20th November 3311, a new Galnet was released concerning the discovery of Radicoida Unica, stating that: “Radicoida unica can remain dormant for centuries and contains an unusually complex bio-chemical compound which may have pharmaceutical applications”.
Galnet: RUMOURS SPREAD ABOUT HIP 87621 FLORA
20 NOV 3311
Speculation continues to mount around Radicoida unica, the rare exobiological discovered in HIP 87621.
Though scientific data remains tightly controlled, fragments of research are circulating among the scientific community opposed to the system’s military lockdown. The source of these research fragments is currently unconfirmed.
The source suggests that Radicoida unica can remain dormant for centuries and contains an unusually complex bio-chemical compound which may have pharmaceutical applications.
Critics argue that military control of the enclave is less about protecting a fragile discovery, and more about ensuring exclusive access to what could become the most potent biological discovery in centuries. Since the leaked reports of its unusual bio-chemical make-up, analysts note that military mobilisation has increased across the enclave with some suggesting the region could soon become a flashpoint.
It remains to be seen whether Radicoida unica’s potential merits the powers increasing their military presence in the region surrounding HIP 87621 over the past week. For now, the rumours only deepen the mystery surrounding the galaxy’s most in-demand plant.
