PNPC Atan Evria, Different Ways of Growing

[Jennifer R. Povey]

(( USS Constitution - Research Lab 3 ))

Sherana: It may be similar to Linara plant life as they do not have a sun to power regular photosynthesis either. However Leron IV does not have the influence of a nebula like this. 

Evria: Right. The plants may even be radiotrophic.

That meant that they could use ionizing radiation as an energy source.

Evria: And those are always useful to have around for phytoremediation.

There had even been experiments in the early days of human spaceflight with using radiotrophic fungus as part of a shielding system. 

Sherana: Wouldn't it be fascinating to compare and host the plants of two very different origins, both grown in darkness under different circumstances with different requirements for energy sources? 

Evria grinned. Ooh...that did sound fun.

Evria: We already have Linaran plants in the arboretum. If we can get samples from this world...

They'd set up part of the arboretum as a darkhouse. 

Sherana: ::nodding:: If we use the Linara example as a base, the energy comes in parts from thermal energy, energy through water flow and in other parts by plants having adjusted to need as little light as possible. ::She straightened, again that excitement in her eyes.:: In some cases the presence of each other is enough light to feed energy into each other, by providing fluorescence. 

Evria: Right. But I do wonder about radiotrophism in this situation. For that matter, some of the Linaran plants are to a degree.

In fact, many plants were, including simple Terran cacti. 

Sherana: A shame that we won't know before we can have a look at them. I wonder if the crew of this other ship has botanists who have already explored the flora. 

Evria: Assuming we get a dialog going, we could ask to compare notes.

Sherana: Response

Evria: It may be that the flora is why they are here, depending.

There were so many uses for plants that didn't need light to grow.

Sherana: Response

Evria: It doesn't seem a likely planet for colonization, but for study...there's got to be multiple monographs in the place!

Sherana: Response

LtCmdr Atan Evria (ret)
Ship's Florist
USS Constitution
S238312D10