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On the Origin of Species: Paras and Parasect (view source)
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[[File:Paras-parasect.png|200px|thumb|Paras and Parasect, the Mushroom Pokémon]]There are some living things that you just don't expect to be made into Pokémon. I'm not holding my breath for a {{wp|nematode}} Pokémon, or a {{wp|tapeworm}} Pokémon, or a {{wp|Haloarchaea|halophilic archaea}} Pokémon (though all of these would be fantastic). But even back in {{bp|Generation I}}, there were a few very unlikely inspirations at work. A mind-altering parasitic fungus Pokémon? | [[File:Paras-parasect.png|200px|thumb|Paras and Parasect, the Mushroom Pokémon]]There are some living things that you just don't expect to be made into Pokémon. I'm not holding my breath for a {{wp|nematode}} Pokémon, or a {{wp|tapeworm}} Pokémon, or a {{wp|Haloarchaea|halophilic archaea}} Pokémon (though all of these would be fantastic). But even back in {{bp|Generation I}}, there were a few very unlikely inspirations at work. A mind-altering parasitic fungus Pokémon? | ||
{{wp|Fungus}} seems to be associated with the {{ | {{wp|Fungus}} seems to be associated with the {{type|Grass}} within the Pokémon universe, though in reality, fungi are neither plant nor animal, making up a third kingdom all of their own. {{wp|Mushroom}}s are the most familiar member of the group, but microscopic organisms such as {{wp|mold}}s and {{wp|yeast}} also fall under this category. Though they live stationary lives like plants, they have plenty in common with animals too. For instance, while plants make their own food via {{wp|photosynthesis}}, fungi rely on other living things to produce food for them, just like animals do. This food is often dead plant and animal matter, but some species of fungus are more adventurous when it comes to obtaining nutrition. Many fungi are specialized {{wp|parasitism|parasites}}, and will live as unwelcome guests upon various other species of plants, animals (including us humans) and even other fungi. Some will actively devour their host, but in many cases it makes more sense to keep the host alive, ensuring a constant supply of food. | ||
Last time, I talked about the {{p|Nincada}} family, based upon the {{wp|cicada}}. But Nincada and its kin were, it would seem, actually the second family to draw inspiration from cicadas. For the first, we need look no further than {{p|Paras}} and {{p|Parasect}}, the Mushroom Pokémon. Specifically, both of these Pokémon seem to be based on the cicada nymph, the immature phase that accounts for most of their lives. They have the cicada nymph's powerful front claws, and Paras' Pokédex entries mention it living underground and getting nutrition from tree roots. Cicada nymphs of certain species also share Paras and Parasect's striking red color. But what of the mushrooms growing from them? | Last time, I talked about the {{p|Nincada}} family, based upon the {{wp|cicada}}. But Nincada and its kin were, it would seem, actually the second family to draw inspiration from cicadas. For the first, we need look no further than {{p|Paras}} and {{p|Parasect}}, the Mushroom Pokémon. Specifically, both of these Pokémon seem to be based on the cicada nymph, the immature phase that accounts for most of their lives. They have the cicada nymph's powerful front claws, and Paras' Pokédex entries mention it living underground and getting nutrition from tree roots. Cicada nymphs of certain species also share Paras and Parasect's striking red color. But what of the mushrooms growing from them? | ||