Figwort

Figwort
Appears in	Pikmin, Pikmin 2
Scientific name	Scrophularia xenomium
Family	Figwort
Areas	The Impact Site, The Final Trial, Valley of Repose, Awakening Wood, Wistful Wild
Caves	Emergence Cave, Frontier Cavern, White Flower Garden, Bulblax Kingdom, Snagret Hole, Citadel of Spiders, Shower Room, Submerged Castle, Cavern of Chaos, Hole of Heroes, Dream Den
Challenge Mode levels	None
2-Player Battle levels	None

Figworts are tall, flowering plants used as scenery in both Pikmin games. In Pikmin, figwort plants sport bright blue flowers.

In Pikmin 2, figwort blossoms have adopted a deep pinkish hue which is thought to be the result of differing soil conditions; in fact, the color of some real-world flowering plants, bigleaf hydrangeas in particular, can vary from blue to pink/purple, depending on the acidity or alkalinity of the soil in which they grow. Although Pikmin 2 does not have the tiny black bugs from the first game, figworts may conceal larger creatures such as Doodlebugs or Unmarked Spectralids. In certain above-ground and cave locations, such as the Wistful Wild and White Flower Garden, dead or dormant figworts can be seen, possessing pale or red-orange leaves and without flowers.

Notes

Olimar's notes

“This plant offers an excellent example of a non-native species introduced into the ecosystem by some unknown method. Upon introduction, it quickly established a foothold and adapted to the new habitat. This plant's distinct flowers usually exhibit a stunning blue color in early spring, but recent fieldwork has recorded specimens displaying a deep red hue. Although this may represent a sudden deviation in genetics of the species, the red coloration is much more likely an anomaly. Additional readings suggest no significant atmospheric or solar radiation changes have occurred in the ecosystem, leaving open the possibility that soil composition and mineral deposits may have affected petal coloration.”

Louie's notes

“This titillating ingredient tastes impossibly fresh, but you must cook it immediately after picking. If you don't, it'll go bad within minutes!”

Insects

Figwort insects at The Final Trial.

In the first game, disturbing certain flower clusters will unleash a swarm of tiny black bugs sometimes referred to by fans simply as "Figwort insects." They fly around briefly and quickly retreat, but cannot be harmed by Pikmin and do not affect gameplay whatsoever. These bugs have been known to congregate around Clovers as well, but are usually found within Figworts. No information about them is provided in the game. The plants they inhabit also show no signs of disease, so the relationship between the insects and plants is likely mutualism.

Gallery

• Figwort Blue.JPG

  The blue blossoms of the Figworts in Pikmin.

• 

  Red-brown leaves of Figworts in Winter.

External links

• Wikipedia: Scrophulariaceae family (figworts)
• Wikipedia: Scrophularia genus (figworts)

This article was a featured article from 3rd October, 2008 to 3rd December, 2008.