green plants on islands

Racer1

The main reason we have green plants on earth is our sun emits mostly non-green light, and so plants don't try to absorb it. An alien sun and planet atmosphere could result in a much different spectrum, resulting in other common plant colors. It doesn't HAVE to be different, though. For example, maybe give them all a slightly blue-green hue as a nod to earth plants, while giving them a different alien feel.

MisterYoon

I like orangeness and pinkness of some grasses

2cough

Photosynthesis is photosynthesis, no matter where you are. It's not so much that the sun doesnt produce green light, but that plants can't use it to photosynthesize. This is because chlorophyll, the molecule responsible for converting light into energy, is not really able to convert light in the green spectrum. So it is reflected, hence their own green color -> green leaves. This is also why in greenhouses and grow rooms, green lights are used for maintenance during nighttime hours as it won't interrupt the plant's day/night cycle.

So, if you're calling them plants, they use photosynthesis and the same rules would apply. Otherwise, perhaps they're plant-like organisms.

However, it's a sci fi game. Creative liberties will be and should be taken

Sorry. I'm a huge plant nerd and on again/off again botany student, I couldn't resist chiming in.

Nuki255

2cough wrote: »

Photosynthesis is photosynthesis, no matter where you are. It's not so much that the sun doesnt produce green light, but that plants can't use it to photosynthesize. This is because chlorophyll, the molecule responsible for converting light into energy, is not really able to convert light in the green spectrum. So it is reflected, hence their own green color -> green leaves. This is also why in greenhouses and grow rooms, green lights are used for maintenance during nighttime hours as it won't interrupt the plant's day/night cycle.

So, if you're calling them plants, they use photosynthesis and the same rules would apply. Otherwise, perhaps they're plant-like organisms.

However, it's a sci fi game. Creative liberties will be and should be taken

Sorry. I'm a huge plant nerd and on again/off again botany student, I couldn't resist chiming in.

Glad you did, I was gonna postulate radiation and the likelihood of the planet being incredibly similar to ours, thus extremely similar life forms.

Aerospace nerd here. My Aero Engi specialization will be building space based components and craft, but there is a lot of crossover to other specialties. You have to understand chemistry, physics, etc. It's tough to acknowledge that some things just have to exist outside of proper science to keep the game interesting.