Editing Shalebark

{{lifeform

|type=Animal

{{quote

|Clusters of a bulbous variety of shalebark grew along the inside, bursting with a variety of bright colors. Oranges, reds, yellows and blues. Some outcroppings looked like heaps of clothing, with folds spread like fans, others grew out like horns. Most had tendril like threads that waved in the wind.

|Description of shalebark at [[Roshone]]'s estate{{book ref|sa1|37}}

}}

'''Shalebark''' is a class of organisms native to [[Roshar]]. Though it comes in many forms, it always has a rocklike appearance with retractable tendrils.{{file ref|Shalebark.jpg|Shallan's sketchbook: Shalebark}}{{book ref|sa2|69}} Shalebark grows wild in diverse locations, from the relatively barren [[Shattered Plains]] to the jungles growing on the [[Tai-na]] in the [[Reshi Sea]].{{book ref|sa1|6}}{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} It is also cultivated and used extensively in landscaping across Roshar.{{book ref|sa1|8}}

Although Rosharan scholars believe that shalebark is a plant, it is actually an animal similar to coral.{{book ref|sa1|24}}{{wob ref|169}}

{{for|/Gallery|more images}}

Shalebark has a hard exterior that is easily mistaken for stone.{{book ref|sa1|24}} They grow in various shapes including flat, bulbous, knobby, and folded; because they grow in clusters or mounds, they often create formations that resemble other objects like hands, branches, or horns.{{book ref|sa1|37}}{{book ref|sa1|39}}{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}{{book ref|sa3|61}} Shalebark often exhibits vibrant colors, with orange, red, yellow, blue, green, and pink among the known hues.{{book ref|sa1|37}}{{book ref|sa1|24}} It can grow on a variety of surfaces and seems to be very hard to dislodge, as it can survive the violent floods in the chasms of the Shattered Plains.{{book ref|sa2|69}} Some species may also grow underwater.{{book ref|sa2|4}}

The living animals inside shalebark have retractable tendrils that emerge from pores.{{book ref|sa1|39}} The tendrils usually look like thread or hair, but some are fan-shaped.{{book ref|sa1|24}}{{book ref|sa1|8}} The tendrils are flexible, and are commonly seen waving in the wind. They are also colorful, and are not necessarily the same color as the protective outer shell.{{book ref|sa1|39}} The tendrils have presumably evolved to retract in order to protect themselves during [[highstorm]]s; this is a common adaptation on Roshar.{{book ref|sa1|23}} They will also retract if someone gets too close to them.{{book ref|sa2|69}} Depending on the species, the tendrils may come out at a certain time of day. Shalebark typically grows in such a way that the tendrils are able to reach towards light.{{book ref|sa1|24}}{{book ref|sa1|8}}

Shalebark is known to grow best in warm temperatures.{{book ref|sa4|13}} In the [[Reshi Isles]], vast fields of wild shalebark growing in huge mounds can be found.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}

It produces an oil that can be extracted, known simply as shalebark oil.{{file ref|Chull_Life_Cycle.jpeg|Chull Life Cycle}}

=== Symbiosis ===

Some varieties of shalebark have formed symbiotic relationships with other fauna. For instance, a snail that Shallan colloquially refers to as a "shale snail" has evolved a flat shell that closely resembles the blue and yellow coloration of a common species of shalebark known as 'plated stone'. The snails clean moss and lichen from the shalebark, and can quickly camouflage themselves in the shalebark if threatened.{{book ref|sa1|39}}{{file ref|Shalebark.jpg|Shallan's sketchbook: Shalebark}} A knobby form of shalebark with fingerlike protrusions has tiny [[cremling|cremlings]] that are colored to blend in with the protrusions.{{book ref|sa1|39}} The cremlings appear to serve a similar cleaning function as the snails.{{book ref|sa2|17}}

[[Spren#Lifespren|Lifespren]] are often found drifting around shalebark.{{book ref|sa1|8}}{{book ref|sa2|69}}

== Cultivation ==

{{quote

|The crusty, hard plants had no true stalks or leaves, just waving tendrils like colorful hair. Except for those, shalebark seemed more rock than vegetation. And yet, scholars said it must be a plant for the way it grew and reached toward the light.

|[[Dalinar]] observing shalebark in the [[Gallery of Maps]]{{book ref|sa1|24}}

Shalebark is widely used in landscaping across Roshar by both humans and [[singer]]s. Gardeners shape it by filing it down; painting it with sap can encourage it to grow in particular directions.{{book ref|sa2|i|4}} It is used to line paths{{book ref|sa2|50}} and to form ridges and walls, and it can also be grown in simple rows.{{book ref|sa2|i|4}} In the cooler climate of eastern Roshar, shalebark grows relatively slowly, and it can take years to cultivate large ridges.{{book ref|sa2|50}} Heating [[fabrial]]s can help, but the growth may still be stunted, with few lifespren attracted to the shalebark.{{book ref|sa4|13}}

It is unclear how shalebark reproduces, but gardeners sometimes use small "starters" when attempting to create a new patch.{{book ref|sa3|107}}

== Uses ==

Shalebark is usually cultivated as if it were an ornamental plant. However, due to its hardy structure, it can also be considered more of a permanent architectural element; it is used to add color and texture to buildings.{{book ref|sa4|14}} It is commonly seen in and around palaces and mansions, and the wealthy may import different exotic varieties from other parts of Roshar to add variety to their gardens.{{book ref|sa1|37}}

Because shalebark can be shaped, it can be used to create sculptures.{{book ref|sa3|50}} In [[Kharbranth]], there is a hedge maze where the hedges are formed of shalebark.{{book ref|sa1|39}} It can also be used to create more mundane items, such as benches or railings.{{book ref|sa3|121}}{{book ref|sa2|64}}

Oil can be extracted from shalebark; when added to the drinking water of [[chull]]s, it can help discourage pupation.{{file ref|Chull_Life_Cycle.jpeg|Chull Life Cycle}}

Although shalebark does not have true "leaves", pieces of it are used to fletch arrows by both humans and singers since feathers are very rare on Roshar.{{wob ref|14121}}

== Trivia ==

* Shalebark's description and appearance are highly reminiscent of real-life species of stony coral such as ''[[wikipedia:Acropora hyacinthus|Acropora hyacinthus]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Montipora aequituberculata|Montipora aequituberculata]]''. This is intentional, as "coral reefs above water" was a key element of Brandon's original vision for Rosharan flora and fauna.{{wob ref|16005}}{{wob ref|13364}}

{{complete|[[User:Big Smooth|Big Smooth]] ([[User talk:Big Smooth|talk]]) 18:52, 15 March 2023 (UTC)}}