Stumpweight

From The Coppermind
Revision as of 08:19, 17 November 2020 by Chaos2651 (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

The Coppermind has spoilers for all of Brandon's published works, now including The Sunlit Man. Information about books that have not yet been released, like Stormlight 5, is allowed only on meta-pages for the books themselves. For more details, see our spoiler policy. To view an earlier version of the wiki without spoilers for a book, go to the Time Machine!

Stumpweight
Stumpweight.jpg
Type Tree
World of Origin Roshar
Universe Cosmere
This page or section contains spoilers for Rhythm of War!
This information has the ability to potentially ruin elements of the plot for the reader. Proceed with caution if you have not read this book.
This page or section needs to be updated with new information for Rhythm of War!
Be aware that in its current state, it may not include all additional content yet.

The stumpweight is a species of tree native to Roshar.[1]

Appearance and Anatomy

Stumpweight trees are typically around six feet tall.[2] They have thick trunks[3] with a knobby, sometimes scraggly appearance.[4][1] They tend to grow in small clusters.[4]

They have long, "banner-like" leaves that only grow on the leeward side of the trunk to avoid being damaged by highstorms.[4][2] Like several other Rosharan plants, the leaves are retractable and can very rapidly fold up and around the trunk for additional protection.[2] They make an audible whipping sound as they fold.[4]

In some locations such as Kholinar, stumpweight trees are cultivated to be much taller and leafier than usual in order to provide more shade.[5]

Ecology

Stumpweight trees are quite common in Alethkar and are seen growing in the Sadeas princedom.[6][4] It is likely that they also grow in Jah Keved.[3] They are usually only able to grow in relatively warm areas of Roshar.[7]

Shallan is perplexed to find a stumpweight trunk in the chasms in the middle of the Shattered Plains because the region is too cold for them to grow natively.[7]

Uses

Wood from the trunks of stumpweight trees is heavy, durable, and dark in color.[3][8][9] It is chopped down as timber[10] and used architecturally to make things like doors.[3][8] It is also commonly used to make furniture such as chairs and desks.[11][12] It can be polished and used decoratively.[13]

The sap from stumpweight trees is important in the cultivation of lavis polyps. It is mixed with lavis seeds and spread across the hills during the seasons following the Weeping, when the highstorms are relatively weak.[14]

Notes

This article is still missing information. Please help The Coppermind by expanding it.
This article was complete and reviewed prior to Rhythm of War, but now needs to be updated.