Coalmoss

Coalmoss is the most abundant plant species on Ammonian land masses. Named for its dark and slightly reflective appearance, its pure black exterior soaks up as much of the Bertius Cluster’s distant sunlight as possible.

Phenotypically, it resembles a large, spreading lichen. One rarely finds a single coalmoss plant; they exist instead in genetically identical colonies that can span kilometers. Smaller land masses such as islands are frequently host to a single large coalmoss clone. This is in stark contrast to Ammon's underwater vegetation, which is exuberantly biodiverse.

Despite its ubiquity, almost no land or amphibian animals have been found to use coalmoss as a food source. Initial chemical tests have discovered no obvious toxins, but as the study of Ammonian biology is in its pre-infancy, it could be that the plant is unsuitable for consumption for reasons yet unknown.

Little is known about the reproductive process of coalmoss, as it grows extremely slowly. Colonies undergo numerous chemical changes during Sun Season; however, as no obvious blooms or other fruiting bodies result, it is hard to say what purpose this serves.