Sequoia neophytes

The mihnor indigenous flora of Equinox, these trees were classified by an early botanical survey team in the Order Coniferales. A classification confirmed by the shape of their seed clusters which resemble seed cones from the Terran Sequoia semperverans. Further attribution was to the genus sequoia is their enormous size and extreme age – core samples of the mature trees confirms that the youngest of the sequoia neophytes were 230,000 standard years old. Sequoia neophytes is phototropic. Their branch systems unfold during daylight hours to facilitate the collection of sunlight for photosynthesis. However, the branches retract at twilight to conserve thermal energy. This later state is what has caused them to be known as Pillars because of their resemblance to the lotus-capped columns of ancient Egyptian hypostyle temples

Taxonomy
Kingdom – Plantæ; Division – Pinophyta;  Sub-Division – Pinicae;  Class – Pinatae;  Order – Coniferales;  Family – Taxodiaceae;  Genus – Sequoia;  Species – Neophytes.

Genesis and Evolution
Genetic analysis and comparison of Terran and Enochiian Sequoia point to the potential of a common ancestor. Metasequoia – the earliest ancestor of Sequoia semperverans shows some similarities to the Enochiian Sequoia Neophytes. How two species on planets in different and distant star systems could have developed from a common antecedent is the subject of much speculation and hypothesis (See – Sequoia Adeptus).

Species Morphology
The wood of the Equinox Sequoia neophytes has several peculiar properties. Visual examination on the microscopic level shows a unique order to the cell structure. To the unaided eye, the wood grain has a depth and clarity that is unknown in any other tree species. The wood glows with an inner fire. Heartwood from these trees is a rich crimson with a fine fractal tracery of black, and is highly prized as a precious wood. The first layer of new growth immediately beneath the bark strata has the translucent and luminescent qualities of alabaster. Proximity to the wood from the species has a soothing or tranquilizing effect on animals with sophisticated cerebral cortex.

Heartwood
Unlike the heartwood of the Sequoia adeptus, the cells of the heartwood of Sequoia neophytes do not absorb silicon dioxide (SiO2). They maintain their cellulose based structure throughout their lifetime. Sapwood: The high level of silicon dioxide (SiO2) in the cell fluids produces an opalescent glow that changes with the intensity of the electromagnetic and gravitational fields present in the wood. Sequoia neophytes’ sapwood, which is almost identical to Sequoia adeptus sapwood, is marketed throughout the Known Universe as “wisdomwood”.

Branching
Researchers have identified four levels of branching on the Enochiian Sequoias: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary. The branch system of the Sequoia neophytes is radially symmetrical and similar to Sequoia adeptus.

Leaf
The Sequoia neophytes has a needle leaf structure common with all other conifers. The upper surface of the needle is a highly polished mirror, and the under surface is a translucent deep green. New growth appears as an extension of the quaternary branch with an addition of new needles clusters. New needle growth is distinguished by its iridescent, emerald green color. New needles are nearly transparent for the first season and then assume the appearance of mature needles after one year.

Burl
Burl cells cluster in structures identical to that of fullerene crystals – the icosahedral arrays of close-packed spheres.

Cones & Seeds
Each Tree produces male and female cones. The male cone blossoms into a fine filamented flower and produce pollen the texture, aroma, and consistency of ground nutmeg. Female cones are proportionally smaller than Sequoia semperverans cones. The seeds develop enclosed within the folds of the fibrous cone.