I need a plant that acts as a very relatively effective, portable source of stored chemical energy. I figure the best way to do this is to have a plant/plant-like organism that stores its unused energy as primarily adipose tissue instead of starch.
I’ve currently settled on a tuber / potato-type thing that originates from a cold place with little sunlight (prone to long winters but short, warm summers). The plant has evolved to combat its own scarcity and a limited reproduction window by “hibernating” for most of the year and sprouting rapidly when the proper conditions are met. Its ability to hibernate allows it to go dormant for long periods of time - almost like a seed - and spring back up when re-planted and re-hydrated.
The tuber itself is thick and fist-sized at the base, with a branched root system that resembles something like a mutated carrot. The roots have three layers: a thick skin, a carrot-like outer shell, and a core of unique adipose tissue. The two outer layers carry out normal root functions. The fatty core is composed of Cells with large, specialized leucoplasts that store fatty oil instead of starch.
When it sprouts, its leaves are broad to absorb as much sunlight as possible. It’s thorny to deter opportunistic predators from getting to its roots. The flowers look very similar to your standard potato’s.
The world is modern Earth-adjacent in every other way, so I’d like to know if my approach is Probable or at least reasonable, and if there’s anything else here I haven’t considered. I’m also curious if there’s any specific way this plant would have to look that conflicts with what I’ve imagined. This is also my first time posting here, so let me know if I’ve made any mistakes or need to be clearer!
