hankijate
Hankijate is a fictional plant species used in speculative biology and worldbuilding to illustrate plant ecology and cultural symbolism. In its most common depictions, hankijate is a shrub- or small-tree up to four meters tall that forms a mutualistic association with soil-dwelling microorganisms, enabling growth in low-nutrient, shaded forest floors.
The leaves are thick and evergreen, typically 6–12 cm long with a waxy surface. The bark is
In many depictions, hankijate hosts endophytic bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi that aid in phosphorus uptake and
Distribution and habitat in fictional settings place hankijate in temperate forest belts of regions modeled after
Notes: Hankijate is a constructed term; different authors may use alternative scientific names within their worldbuilding