Esarhaddons

Esarhaddons is a fictional plant species appearing in the novel "The Martian" by Andy Weir. It is an organism that the protagonist, Mark Watney, discovers on Mars. Esarhaddons is described as a root vegetable with a waxy, dark green exterior and a starchy, edible interior. Watney cultivates these plants in his Martian habitat, utilizing them as a primary food source after his initial supply rations begin to dwindle. The plant is engineered to be hardy and capable of thriving in the harsh Martian environment, requiring minimal water and specific nutrient supplements. Watney's success in growing Esarhaddons is crucial to his survival. The plant's ability to grow and produce edible yields under controlled conditions on Mars highlights the novel's themes of scientific ingenuity and human resilience in extreme circumstances. While fictional, the concept of genetically modified crops adapted for extraterrestrial cultivation is a plausible area of scientific speculation. The Esarhaddons serves as a key plot device, enabling Watney's long-term survival and his ability to undertake further scientific experiments.