Serpentweed
Common Name[]
Serpentweed
Scientific Name[]
Coclea pullularia
Description[]
The cnideria on this photobiont are not brightly colored - like they are on most of the others - nor do they appear to be defensive spines. It's possible that they're the first leaves we've seen on Arctocos - broad pieces of photosynthetic tissue that provide a large area for capturing sunlight. The tubercles at the top may be some sort of reproductive structure - or something to discourage consumption of the growing tip. --Jane Van Susteren, Exobiology Lead