---
author: Dr. Cheriss Vadnais
dateCreated: 477-06-06
dateRecovered: 524-01-24
length: 256
---
The culms are reaching about head height at this point. Compared to the other modified varieties I'm used to, they're growing at a sluggish pace, at least above the surface. The rhizomes are spreading at a highly accelerated rate, and they've almost reached our target depth.
The strength tests are looking promising, with the heavily weathered concrete already being shattered. The rhizomes are finding good purchase in the fresh, weaker concrete samples, but are struggling to penetrate the reinforced structural materials. I don't particularly want to win that bet, I've done my share of field clearing duties and I know how backbreaking cracking a foundation by hand can be. Xinos is holding out hope, probably just doesn't want to fork over the trade, but I respect the optimism.
Contaminant tests are positive, but it's too early to say if they'll be enough. Heavy metal uptake is up, and it's mostly being sequestered in the stem tubers, not the culms. I know it was too early for significant amounts of contaminants to be absorbed, but that still makes me feel a little better about Drew's greenhouse rampage. Nobody's tested the spiciness of the stem tubers yet, for obvious reasons, but the same chemical compounds are showing up as in the specimens in the clean dirt. I still have my reservations about unleashing a plant that makes toxic tubers, but Xinos assures me the fauna have a low spice tolerance. Them and Maj both, maybe if I put hot sauce on my ship-slippers I'd get to wear them?