SCP-401 is an organism superficially resembling a tree from the genus Eucalyptus, comprised entirely from human biological matter.
Biology[]
The trunk of SCP-401 is composed of multiple vertebral columns, woven together by tendons and muscles, and a "bark" layer of osseous bone tissue also held together by flexible tendons. As one goes higher, the trunk will split repeatedly until there is a single vertebral column supporting the rest of the structure. At the base of the trunk are multiple human hearts which pump blood and nutrients through the roots and branches. Upon failure of vital organs such as the hearts, SCP-401 can grow new organs to replace the previous.
A stylized illustration of SCP-401's anatomy, theorizing alchemical origins.
The roots of SCP-401 are esophagi, protected by a layer of cartilage reminiscent of the trachea. At the end of each root is a fully formed upper and lower jaw, complete with muscles, lips, and a long, prehensile tongue. The tongue serves dual purpose as a digging implement and as a snare for subterranean food sources, ranging from burrowing animals, edible fungi and plants, to SCP-401 atrophied organs. All of these roots ultimately lead to a single stomach and a fully functional, though unusually long, intestinal tract, working to absorb ingested nutrients. Solid waste is defecated from an anal sphincter at the base of the trunk, and all roots avoid the immediate area of the feces.
The branches are human arms extruding from the bony trunk, but have no bark themselves. Some limbs split at the elbow so that the extremity may have two or even three forearms, with the palms of its hands all facing upward at rest. Distal to each finger is a hazel human eye, physically nearsighted (presumably in order to prevent excessive damage to the retina from direct sunlight) despite reacting to light stimuli as a normal, non-myopic eye would. Through and not yet understood chemical process is, the retinas conduct a means of photosynthesis, transforms carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose. Opposite of aerobic expectations, the lungs of SCP-401 produce oxygen similar to respiration in a true plant.
Despite being genetically male, SCP-401 undergoes a bloom in spring entailing the growth of the reproductive systems from both genders. Originally the female sexual organs will germinate, with the labia located in the palms of its hands, with vaginal canals extending through each wrist to a bulge containing a fully formed uterus and ovaries. Five days after the formation of the organs, menstruation occurs, at which point male sexual organs begin to develop in their place over a period of ten days. Once fully formed, the phalli and testicles will remain for one day before they are shed and eaten by the roots. During this phase, SCP-401 will attack human females for the purpose of reproduction. Children sired by SCP-401 appear non-anomalous, but "seeds" consisting of a human urinary bladder containing a two-month fetus are born from the uterine cavity. (but the Foundation has yet to grown specimens past the seedling stage).
History[]
Initial investigation team with SCP-401.
SCP Foundation agents began investigating outside the city of ██████ in southern France, responding to reports of the ground bleeding. When led to the site, investigators found one of SCP-401's mouths embedded in the soil, licking away the remaining blood from another cut root. After a week of further investigation did the agents discover the mouth's relation to what at first appeared to be a Eucalyptus tree with branches shaped like multi-jointed human arms, apparently deceased due to the bone-white color of the bark. SCP-401 was given SCP status, excavated from the area, and subsequently transported to Site-██.
Upon arrival at Site-██, SCP-401 was replanted in an enclosed courtyard, and special containment procedures were established. Over a period of time, Foundation researchers discovered the specimen's basic nutritional needs, Homo sapiens genome, and vernal reproductive cycle. In light of the fact that SCP-401 is genetically human, combined with the violence exhibited against women during its male phase, a number of breeding experiments were proposed to test reproductive compatibility between SCP-401 and standard humans.
Experiment 401-1[]
The female D-class personnel D-2055 was artificially inseminated with gametes produced by SCP-401 during its "male phase". Nine months after conception, D-2055 gave birth to a normal human male infant. Though healthy and lacking in any unusual physiology, the child was found to suffer from severe nearsightedness, comparable to estimates of SCP-401's eyes. The child was soon adopted by Agent R████ F███████ and named R████ Jr, under the conditions for monthly physical examinations by a Foundation-approved doctor.
Experiment 401-2[]
Using sperm from the male D-class personnel D-2067, one of SCP-401's ovaries was artificially inseminated at the beginning of the specimen's "female phase". Twelve hours after insemination, the uterine bulge in the wrist increased in size by 300%. While the other branches continued to develop normally for the next two weeks, the inseminated arm retained its uterine bulge and vaginal canal. Twenty-four hours prior to maturation of male organs, the uterine bulge began contracting until a "seed" was birthed from the palm of the mothering arm, which threw the seed over the edge of the courtyard before itself shedding off and being consumed by the roots minutes later. After five hours of searching, personnel found the thrown bladder and planted it in soil, wherein it germinated two days later into a seedling, equivalent to SCP-401 in structure. Despite being fed Nutritional Supplement 401-NS-3, the organism died of malnutrition one week later.
Experiment 401-3[]
An egg was removed from D-2081's ovary, fertilized with genetic material harvested from SCP-401, and frozen until next spring. Upon the following bloom, the fertilized egg was implanted into SCP-401 and allowed to gestate. After [DATA EXPUNGED], Nutritional Supplement 401-NS-4 was formulated for SCP-401.
Incident 401-1 []
On ██-██-████, several of SCP-401's branches experienced convulsions before going limp. Site-██ investigating the cause quickly discovered that one of SCP-401's hearts suffered from cardiac arrest and the organ was unable to recover, and after conducting an angiogram, the other hearts found to have large amounts of plaque buildup. As SCP-401 recovered, the damaged heart being absorbed with two new hearts growing in its place, Nutritional Supplement 401-NS-3 was retired completely in favor of the lower cholesterol 401-NS-4, and an electrocardiogram machine was installed for constant monitoring of SCP-401's circulation.