
Illustration of a plant with plates of gray, stone-like bark protecting its roots. Its green heart-shaped leaves trail over nearby orange stone. Original photo by Andrew massyn – Own work, Public Domain.
Safety Rating: Harmless
Environment: Deserts.
Details: This small succulent bush with heart shaped leaves stores water in large bulbs within its roots. It protects these bulbs by encasing them in armor-like bark made of stone plates. Over many years of growth, these stone roots build up into mounds that collect wind-born debris, building up the soil. A number of small desert animals find shelter in the cracks between its stony roots.
Photo Inspiration: Dioscorea elephantipes.
Stone Root is part of the Crossroads Setting for the tabletop role-playing game, Magic Goes Awry. Click here to go to the list of wild and whimsical magical plants from the Land of Crossroads.