The Botanus phylum is comprised of species which resemble plants or fungi, or which form a symbiotic relationship with a botanical organism. The former naturally possess photosynthetic skin, containing enough chloroplasts to enable the conversion of sunlight into nutrients as the main method of feeding for this group of species.

The latter gain the defense mechanisms of their parasitic plant or fungus species, which can range from secretion of harmful toxins that induce debilitating ailments, such as sleep, paralysis, or blindness, protruding thorns containing psychoactive alkaloids or agonizing chemicals, or releasing an odour foul enough to deter even the most determined predator.