Editing Bacopa Cabana

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Chaenostoma cordatum''}}
{{game icons|p=y|p2=y|p3=y}}
[[File:Pikmin flower.jpg|thumb|200px|''Chaenostoma cordatum'', more commonly known as the Bacopa.]]
The flower atop a [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] in the flower [[Maturity|stage]] is called '''''chaenostoma cordatum'''''{{cite web|http://cube.ign.com/articles/100/100417p1.html|Meet the Pikmin Flower|IGN}}, or commonly known as the '''Bacopa''', '''Ornametal Bacopa''', '''sutera cordata''' or the '''Pikmin Flower'''. This was used to model the white, five petaled, yellow centered flowers that rest on top of the first generation of Pikmin species (the colors introduced in the first game), as well as the [[Bulbmin]] in ''[[Pikmin 2]]''.

''Chaenostoma cordatum'' also come in different colors: white, lavender, and magenta/violet. So far, in the Pikmin species, all three of these colors have been used, each symbolizing a generation of ''[[Pikmin series|Pikmin]]'', or a new game in the series. The magenta color has been used on all new Pikmin types (not counting Bulbmin) in ''Pikmin 2'', or the second generation of Pikmin species. The lavender color has been used to top all the known new species in ''[[Pikmin 3]]'', or the third generation of Pikmin.

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==Relevance==
Although Pikmin can have leaves, buds, or flower atop their stem, as decided by their [[maturity]], Pikmin with a flower are given more attention throughout the series, given that the flower symbolizes the highest maturity. Reflecting the maturity, some rankings in the game also use leaves, buds, and flowers as icons to represent their value, with a flower commonly representing the most valuable rankings. Examples include the medals in [[Mission Mode]] and the icons that indicate a stage's completion in [[Challenge Mode (Pikmin 2)|''Pikmin 2'''s Challenge Mode]].

Because the flower is considered so important, and because of its simple, yet recognizable shape, the ''chaenostoma cordatum'' is as much of a staple of the [[Pikmin series|franchise]] as the [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] themselves. In the [[Super Smash Bros. series|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]], a ''chaenostoma cordatum'' is used as the icon for the ''Pikmin'' series. In the ''Pikmin'' games themselves, the flowers are used decoratively outside of the core game. The logotype of any game in the series is made up of several ''chaenostoma cordatum'', and some menus use small flower icons as markers used to represent the currently highlighted option.

==In real life==
This is a cultivated species of flower bred with the intention of using it to market the [[Pikmin (game)|first game]].{{cite web|http://uk.gamespot.com/gamecube/strategy/pikmin/news.html?sid{{=}}2831784|Pikmin becomes a flower|GameSpot{{dead link|November|2015}}}} Nintendo announced the impending creation of the flower through an agreement with S&G Flowers USA in late 2001, and it became commercially available in April the following year, five months after the release of the game. The full press release can be found [[:File:Pikminpressrelease.png|here]].

The ''chaenostoma cordatum'' are a perennial type of plant (reoccurring every year). They are also an Evergreen, which means that even in the harsh winter climate and lack of sun, the plant's leaves can retain its green color. In addition, the flowers can live through the same weather without dying. This real life logic can be placed into the Pikmin world. The Red Pikmin are shown in ''Pikmin 2'' in a harsh snowy landscape with the Pikmin’s leaf green and bright. The record for the lowest temperature a ''chaenostoma cordatum'' has endured is 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1.1 degrees Celsius). ''Chaenostoma cordatum'' are remarkably strong plants, as a result. Mr. Miyamoto must have had this in mind for the Pikmin to be strong and durable creatures.

The different variants of the ''chaenostoma cordatum'' are the Snowflake white and the Snowstorm Blue/Magenta.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Starr 070906-9094 Sutera cordata.jpg|This is the white color from the first generation of Pikmin.
File:Bacopa-Pink.jpg|This is the magenta color of the second generation of Pikmin.
File:Bacopa-abunda-colossal-blue.jpg|This is the lavender color of the third generation of Pikmin.
File:flower bulbmin.jpg|The Bulbmin are a part of the second generation and have the white ''chaenostoma cordatum''.
File:Pikmin types - Flower.png|The current 3 generations. From left-to-right: [[Red Pikmin|Red]], [[Yellow Pikmin|Yellow]], and [[Blue Pikmin]] (1<sup>st</sup> generation), [[Purple Pikmin|Purple]] and [[White Pikmin]] (2<sup>nd</sup> generation), and [[Rock Pikmin|Rock]] and [[Winged Pikmin]] (3<sup>rd</sup> generation).
File:PW-Sutera-pikminflower-12-J.jpg|A flower bed of ''chaenostoma cordatum''.
File:Bacopa 'abunda giant white'.jpg|Another image of the flower.
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Maturity]]
*[[Nectar]]

==External links==
*[[wikipedia:Chaenostoma cordatum|Wikipedia's article on the ''chaenostoma cordatum'']]

==References==
{{refs}}

[[Category:Real world]]