Greatgrass

Greatgrass was a common species of plant found on Powai Nui. It composed much of the island's plant biomass.

Physiology
Greatgrass takes the form of over-sized tall grass, alternating in hue from green to yellow. Most specimens average 30 feet tall, although this is subject to change depending on the climate and altitude. When yellow, a greatgrass plant will reveal seeds at the top, which can be harvested to make rice.

The plant has several unique properties other than it's size that set it apart from other grass species. The most notable is it's very low destiny, making the average specimen weigh only mere ounces and allowing it to stand tall without snapping under it's own weight. It is also fairly strong, and also flexible to withstand wind. Greatgrass's more anomalous property is it's high resistance to electricity, electric currents and electricity-induced heat. Specimens have been observed to have been struck directly by lightning and survive with minimal damage. Tests have concluded that it takes much more heat to burn if electricity is flowing through it than if their is no electrical activity.

Distribution
Greatgrass is the single most common species on Powai Nui, outnumbering plants, Rahi and Matoran. It is estimated to compose 70% of the island's plant biomass, and 66% of it's total biomass. However, it only grows in the hot, elevated hills of the area referred to as the Feral Plains.

The plant is more accustomed to climates that are more dry, but cannot grow in sand, only dust and dirt, hence why it isn't found in Po-Powai or Le-Powai. Additionally, it needs heat and a considerable amount of sunlight in order to grow, making it struggle in Ko-Powai's snowy climate.

Usages
As the most common species on Powai Nui, those who live on the island have found multiple usages for it. Most prominent is it's usage in agriculture, as greatgrass provides rice-like seeds that is Powai Nui's staple food. It's fibers can also be used to make a specialized type of natural rubber, which retains the plant's high electrical resistance, a useful material on an island where Vo-Matoran are very common.

Appearances

 * The Feral Plains (First Appearance, first appears in Volume I)

Trivia

 * In real life, greatgrass is simply tall field grass, however when compared to a MOC of a Toa, it seems very tall, as most Toa average 7 feet tall.
 * Because of it's properties, wildfires are very uncommon on Powai Nui.
 * Greatgrass's electrical resistance was added in preparation for a scene in Volume VII of The Feral Plains.