Candypop Bud

To do: Document every version of every game (GameCube and, Pikmin 3 and Deluxe) regarding throwing a Pikmin of the same type as the Candypop Bud, and how it counts for the limit. Care to do so?

Candypop Bud
Artwork of the three primary Candypop Buds.
Appears in	Pikmin, Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3, Pikmin 4
Scientific name	Flora expellus
Family	Candypop
Areas	The Forest Navel, The Distant Spring, The Final Trial, Tropical Wilds, Distant Tundra, Formidable Oak
Caves	See #Locations
Challenge Mode levels	Novice Training, Hot House, Concrete Maze, The Giant's Bath, Breeding Ground, Emperor's Realm
Collect treasure! levels	Thirsty Desert, Tropical Forest Remix, Thirsty Desert Remix, Beastly Caverns, Clockwork Chasm
Battle enemies! levels	Twilight River Remix, Formidable Oak Remix, Beastly Caverns
Side Story levels	Team Monster Hunt, Another Part Found, The Ship Restored
Dandori Challenge levels	Ice-Cross Course, Hefty Haulway, Aerial Incinerator, Toggle Training, Oasis of Order, Trial of the Sage Leaf
2-Player Battle levels	None
Bingo Battle levels	Blooming Terrace
Dandori Battle levels	None

Candypop Buds (ポンガシグサ^?, lit.: "Puffed Grain Weed") are large flowers with fleshy petals and are found in all mainline Pikmin games. When Pikmin are tossed into these gigantic blossoms, they spit out new Pikmin seeds which match the color of the flower's petals. These new Pikmin are born in the leaf stage. The Candypop Buds expel the seeds after five Pikmin are thrown in, or a few seconds after the first throw; the exception being the Queen Candypop Bud, which does so after the first Pikmin is thrown.

In Pikmin, Candypops can transition up to 10 Pikmin in one load, and will wither after 5 loads, allowing for anywhere between 5 and 50 Pikmin transitions. This was changed to a fixed 5 Pikmin transitions before withering in second and fourth games, and in most cases in the third game: Lapis Lazuli Candypop Buds found in the Twilight River Remix can transform up to 10 Pikmin. In Pikmin 2, Pikmin 3, and Pikmin 4, using Pikmin of the same type as the flower does not count against this limit, although they will still be reverted to leaf Pikmin and planted in the ground. In Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin holding bomb-rocks will not be taken in by Candypop Buds, merely sliding off the top; the same will happen to thrown leaders in Pikmin 3. However, in Pikmin 3, if a Pikmin holding a bomb rock is thrown in a Candypop Bud, it will spring its petals upwards before wilting away, killing the Pikmin with it without leaving a soul behind. In Pikmin 4, if someone (including Dalmo) throws a bomb rock or other weapon such as an Ice Blast into a Candypop Bud, the bud will harmlessly spit it back out. The item can then be collected again.

In Pikmin 2, Candypop Buds are never found above ground and only appear in caves, where they will respawn when the cave is reentered. In some caves, Violet Candypop Buds and Ivory Candypop Buds will only appear if the player has less than a certain number of Pikmin. To unlock a Candypop Bud's entry in the Piklopedia in Pikmin 2, the player must throw at least one Pikmin inside and wait for a seed to be spat out.

In Pikmin 3 and Pikmin 4, they have a different appearance, consisting of a large bucket-like cup in the middle of the flower, most likely as a "target" for leaders to aim Pikmin at. They also behave slightly differently, as they are always closed, opening only when a leader is nearby, and when they wither, their roots remain in place. Also, if two players throw Pikmin in a Candypop Bud at the same moment in Bingo Battle, the Candypop Bud will spit out seeds for both teams, depending on the number of Pikmin that were thrown in by each of them.

Types

In Pikmin 2, different types of Candypop Bud are considered different species. The types in this game are the Crimson Candypop Bud, Golden Candypop Bud, Lapis Lazuli Candypop Bud, Violet Candypop Bud, Ivory Candypop Bud, and Queen Candypop Bud. However, in Pikmin, Pikmin 3, and Pikmin 4, all types of Candypop Bud are considered the same species.

Locations

Pikmin

Red

• The Forest Navel: One near the pool with the Analog Computer.
• The Distant Spring: One on a stump near the landing site.
• The Final Trial: One near the landing site.

Yellow

• The Forest Navel: One is on a plateau outside the Beady Long Legs arena.
• The Distant Spring: One on an island plateau near the Chronos Reactor.
• The Final Trial: One is near the landing site.

Blue

• The Distant Spring: One on the beach with the Massage Machine, another on the beach near the Chronos Reactor.
• The Final Trial: One near the landing site.

Pikmin 2

Pikmin 2 Candypop Bud locations are documented on the articles about each type – Crimson Candypop Bud, Golden Candypop Bud, Lapis Lazuli Candypop Bud, Violet Candypop Bud, Ivory Candypop Bud, and Queen Candypop Bud.

Pikmin 3

Red

Story Mode:

• Distant Tundra: Two near the Pyroclasmic Slooches and three near the Shaggy Long Legs (only on day of first visit).
• Formidable Oak: One at the end of the cave.

Mission Mode:

• Formidable Oak Remix: Four near the starting point.

Rock

Story Mode:

• Tropical Wilds: Four near the Calcified Crushblat arena.
• Formidable Oak: One in the alcove with the Shearwigs, and one at the end of the cave.

Mission Mode:

• Formidable Oak Remix: Four near the blocked cave exits.

Side Stories:

• Another Part Found
• The Ship Restored: Four in the starting area.

Yellow

Story Mode:

• Distant Tundra: Two in the Spotty Bulbear cave, and three in the Vehemoth Phosbat arena.
• Formidable Oak: One in the alcove with the Shearwigs, one near the first electrode, one near the second electrode, and one at the end of the cave.

Side Stories:

• Another Part Found

Winged

Story Mode:

• Formidable Oak: One near the second electrode, and one at the end of the cave.

Mission Mode:

• Thirsty Desert Remix: Three near the water.
• Clockwork Chasm (Battle Enemies!): One near the starting point.

Side Stories:

• Team Monster Hunt: One near the Armored Cannon Larva, and one near where the hay pile leads to.

Blue

Story Mode:

• Tropical Wilds: Four near the Calcified Crushblat arena.
• Formidable Oak: One in the water under the clipboard, and one at the end of the cave.

Mission Mode:

• Beastly Caverns (Collect Treasure!): Two inside a cave, near the entrance.
• Twilight River Remix: Two on the north side, across the river. These ones can produce 10 Pikmin instead of 5.
• Beastly Caverns (Battle Enemies!): Two outside the cave, in the center.

Purple

Mission Mode:

• Thirsty Desert (Collect Treasure!): One on a raised plateau.

Bingo Battle:

• Blooming Terrace: Four on the raised plateaus near the middle.

White

Mission Mode:

• Thirsty Desert (Collect Treasure!): Three near the water.
• Tropical Forest Remix: Ten throughout the level.
• Thirsty Desert Remix: Three near the starting point.
• Beastly Caverns (Collect Treasure!): Three in the deepest part of the cave.

Pikmin 4

The following article or section is in need of assistance from someone who plays Pikmin 4. Particularly: Finish documenting Candypop Bud locations, including in Dandori stages. Note that some are conditional based on what Pikmin you bring into the cave.

Red

Caves:

• Crackling Cauldron sublevel 2: One in the room with the castaway, if you have 5 Red Pikmin or less.
• Aquiferous Summit sublevel 2: One in the sandy room, near the iron bars, if you have 5 Red Pikmin or less.
• Kingdom of Beasts sublevel 1: One near the base, if you have 5 Red Pikmin or less.
• Kingdom of Beasts sublevel 4: One in an alcove next to the base, if you have 5 Red Pikmin or less.
• Below-Grade Discotheque sublevel 4: One on the narrow path underneath the other two Candypops, if you have 5 Red Pikmin or less.

Yellow

Caves:

• Secluded Courtyard sublevel 3: One in an alcove behind the base, if you have 5 Yellow Pikmin or less.
• Below-Grade Discotheque sublevel 4: One on the same platform as the Winged Candypop Bud, if you have 5 Yellow Pikmin or less.

Blue

Caves:

• Seafloor Resort sublevel 4: One to the left of the base, and one to the right on an island, if you have 40 Blue Pikmin or less.
• Cavern for a King sublevel 9: One in an alcove next to the base, and one in an alcove opposite the base behind the Man-at-Legs, if you have 50 Blue Pikmin or less.
• Cavern for a King sublevel 11: One in an alcove next to the base, if you have 50 Blue Pikmin or less.
• Cavern for a King sublevel 15: One on a platform south of the water puddle, and one near the west entrance to the mud puddle, if you have 50 Blue Pikmin or less.

Ice

Caves:

• Aquiferous Summit sublevel 1: One near the base, if you have 10 Ice Pikmin or less.
• Drafty Gallery sublevel 2: One behind a dirt wall opposite a pile of Gold Nuggets, if you have 50 Ice Pikmin or less.
• Seafloor Resort sublevel 4: Two appear in place of the Blue Candypop Buds if you have more than 40 Blue Pikmin, but 50 Ice Pikmin or less.
• Subzero Sauna sublevel 1: One appears in the room just beyond the ice gate, if you have 5 Ice Pikmin or less. A second appears in the same room, replacing the White Candypop Bud, if you have 50 White Pikmin.
• Subzero Sauna sublevel 2: One in the room with the Arctic Cannon Larva, if you have 10 Ice Pikmin or less. Another replaces the White Candypop Bud, if you have 50 White Pikmin.
• Frozen Inferno sublevel 2: One behind the Chillyhop and the fallen-over jar.
• Frozen Inferno sublevel 3: One near the Zest Bomb.
• Cavern for a King sublevel 6: One near the hole to the next sublevel and one on a high island accessed by a floating platform, if you have 50 Ice Pikmin or less.

Dandori Challenges:

• Ice-Cross Course: One on a brown platform near the Sunsquish, and two more on the opposite side of the stage that are reachable by jumping past the Birdy Bed.

Rock

Caves:

• Kingdom of Beasts sublevel 4: One in an alcove near the exit. Only appears if you have 5 Rock Pikmin or less.
• Kingdom of Beasts sublevel 5: One near the base. Only appears if you have 5 Rock Pikmin or less.

Winged

Caves:

• Below-Grade Discotheque sublevel 3: One on a high platform. To reach it, ride the first fan up, walk onto the pushed-over box, jump onto the closest Bouncy Mushroom, and the next fan will take you there. Appears if you have 50 Winged Pikmin or less.
• Below-Grade Discotheque sublevel 4: One on a high platform accessed by a geyser.

Dandori Challenges:

• Aerial Incinerator: One near the starting point, two on a southern platform near a swarm of Shearwigs, two behind dried plants in the northwest, and two more near the Time Marker on the same platform as the switches.

Purple

Caves:

• Engulfed Castle sublevel 5: Two in the landing room, if you have 50 Purple Pikmin or less.
• Cavern for a King sublevel 12: One in alcove before the big room, and one in the big room itself. Appears if you have 50 Purple Pikmin or less.

Dandori Challenges:

• Hefty Haulway: One in an alcove in the flat room containing a Lesser Spotted Jellyfloat, and one next to the Dawn Pustules behind an electric gate.
• Oasis of Order: One that needs to be freed from toxic sticky mold on the other side of a strait.
• Trial of the Sage Leaf:
  • 8th Story: Crowded Kitchen
  • 9th Story: Turf Turmoil
  • Final Story: The Purple Key

White

Caves:

• Subzero Sauna sublevel 1: One in a hydro jelly in the room with the Chillyhop, if you have 50 White Pikmin or less.
• Subzero Sauna sublevel 2: One in a big metal pipe sticking out of the ground, if you have 50 White Pikmin or less.
• Cavern for a King sublevel 1: One next to the base and one in the room with the Toxstool, if you have 50 White Pikmin or less.
• Cavern for a King sublevel 13: One appears in an alcove next to the Gildemander, if you have 50 White Pikmin or less.

Dandori Challenges:

• Toggle Training: Two behind a red gate.

Maximum Pikmin requirement

In Pikmin 2, some Violet Candypop Buds and Ivory Candypop Buds will only appear if the player has less than 20 of the equivalent Pikmin type. If the player has 20 or more of that Pikmin type, the Candypop Bud will not spawn, and no other object will take its place. This can be seen, for instance, in the second sublevel of the Citadel of Spiders: the Violet Candypop Bud always appears in dead ends, and if the player is over the maximum Pikmin requirements, there will be an empty dead end in the sublevel.

Interestingly, only the Pikmin inside the cave and the Pikmin inside the Hocotate ship count toward this limit. This means that Pikmin sprouts in an overworld area, including the area the cave is in, will not count. The game will only check for the requirement at the start of the sublevel.

The following sublevels have Candypop Buds that do not appear if the player has 20 or more of the equivalent Pikmin type:

• Violet Candypop Bud:
  • Emergence Cave, sublevel 2
  • Frontier Cavern, sublevel 1
  • Hole of Beasts, sublevel 2
  • Citadel of Spiders, sublevel 2
  • Glutton's Kitchen, sublevel 2
  • Shower Room, sublevel 2
• Ivory Candypop Bud:
  • White Flower Garden, sublevel 3
  • Bulblax Kingdom, sublevel 1
  • Snagret Hole, sublevel 2
  • Shower Room, sublevel 1

Since the only Candypop Buds affected by this are in early sublevels, this limit likely exists to stop players from easily obtaining a large number of Purple Pikmin or White Pikmin by repeatedly entering and leaving the same cave.

Pikmin discovery requirement

In general, Candypop Buds of a specific type will not spawn unless the corresponding Pikmin type has been discovered. In Pikmin, it is possible to go to The Forest Navel and The Distant Spring without discovering Yellow Pikmin or Blue Pikmin, and this causes the Golden Candypop Buds or the Lapis Lazuli Candypop Buds, respectively, to not spawn. Similarly, in Pikmin 3, Candypop Buds will not spawn if their respective type of Pikmin has not been discovered.

However, there are some exceptions in Pikmin 2. Purple Pikmin and White Pikmin are discovered after throwing Pikmin inside of a Violet Candypop Bud and an Ivory Candypop Bud, respectively. Therefore, the game must spawn Violet Candypop Buds in Emergence Cave sublevel 2 before Purple Pikmin are discovered and Ivory Candypop Buds in White Flower Garden sublevel 3 before White Pikmin are discovered. For some reason, if the player skips discovering Purple Pikmin in Emergence Cave by utilizing glitches, then other Violet Candypop Buds will still spawn. If it were possible to never encounter Red Pikmin, Crimson Candypop Buds would also still appear. On the other hand, until White Pikmin are discovered, the only Ivory Candypop Buds to spawn are the White Flower Garden sublevel 3 ones.

Relations to the Pikmin family

Olimar notes in the enemy reel that Candypop Buds could be the next step in Pikmin evolution, and in his Piklopedia notes that Candypops could be the same species. This connection is further cemented by the fact that Candypop Buds use similar sounds to the Pikmin, and the buds in Pikmin 3 use the same texture for leaves as the Pikmin do. In Pikmin 4, Onions and Flarlic are identified as part of the candypop family which all Candypop Buds belong to, further strengthening the ties with the Pikmin.

Notes

Olimar's voyage log

“When I throw Pikmin into this flower, they are popped right back out. I have named this very peculiar bloom the candypop bud. It's strange... No matter what color Pikmin I throw in, the ones that pop out match the flower's color!”

Reel notes

“Could this be the next stage in Pikmin evolution? Like the Pikmin themselves, it has many mysteries.”

Dalmo's Notes

“The longer I look at it, the more I feel a strange urge to throw something into it. Succumbing to the intrusive thought, I once threw a bomb into one. When I did... Ptooie! It spit the bomb right back out! I can't help seeing some sort of lifelike response in that.”

Olimar's Notes (Pikmin 4)

“What looks like the interior of a flower is actually an insectivorous leaf that's developed into an organ. This organ releases a sweet scent from its central pistil, luring small insects into its interior and trapping them.

The DNA of those captured organisms is directly absorbed by the plant's cells, which might indicate that this species is attempting to evolve at an astounding speed. But in most cases, the cells essentially self-destruct. The bud then releases Pikmin seeds of the same color, and the plant withers.

Muscle fibers extremely similar to those of an Onion were also found in this species, so some could hypothesize that a Candypop Bud is an under- or undeveloped Onion. However, there aren't enough details to confirm this theory either way.”

Louie's Notes (Pikmin 4)

“Way too spicy for a salad, no matter what color bud you use.”

Pikmin 1 (Nintendo Switch) reel notes

“Could this be the next step in Pikmin evolution? Like the Pikmin themselves, it has many mysteries.”

Technical information

Pikmin technical information (?)
Internal name	pom
HP	N/A

Pikmin 2 technical information (?)
Internal name			pom
Global properties (List)
ID	Japanese comment	Property	Value
s000	friction(not used)	Friction	0.5
s001	wallReflection	Unknown (wall bounce speed multiplier?)	0.5
s002	faceDirAdjust	Unknown	0.25
s003	accel	Acceleration	0.1
s004	bounceFactor	Unknown (bounce when it hits the ground?)	0.3
fp00	ライフ	HP	99999
fp01	マップとの当り	Unknown (related to slopes)	30
fp02	ダメージスケールXZ	Horizontal damage scale	0.1
fp03	ダメージスケールY	Vertical damage scale	0.1
fp04	ダメージフレーム	Damage scale duration	0.35
fp05	質量	Unknown (weight?)	0
fp06	速度	Move speed	0
fp08	回転速度率	Rotation acceleration	0
fp09	テリトリー	Territory radius	1
fp10	ホーム範囲	"Home" radius	1
fp11	プライベート距離	"Private" radius	75
fp12	視界距離	Sight radius	0
fp13	視界角度	FOV	0
fp14	探索距離	Unknown (exploration radius?)	0
fp15	探索角度	Unknown (exploration angle?)	0
fp16	振り払い率	Successful shake rate	0
fp17	振り払い力	Shake knockback	0
fp18	振り払いダメージ	Shake damage	0
fp19	振り払い範囲	Shake range	0
fp20	攻撃可能範囲	Unknown (shock attack max range?)	0
fp21	攻撃可能角度	Unknown (shock attack max angle?)	0
fp22	攻撃ヒット範囲	Unknown (attack hit range?)	0
fp23	攻撃ヒット角度	Unknown (attack hit angle?)	0
fp24	攻撃力	Attack damage	0
fp25	視界高	Unknown (height visibility?)	0
fp26	探索高	Unknown (exploration height?)	0
fp27	ライフの高さ	HP wheel height	0
fp28	回転最大速度	Rotation speed	0
fp29	警戒時間	Unknown (warning time?)	0
fp30	警戒ライフ	Unknown	0
fp31	ライフ回復率	Regeneration rate	0
fp32	LOD半径	Off-camera radius	60
fp33	マップとのあたりポリゴンの選定	Collision processing radius	55
fp34	ピクミンとのあたり	Pikmin damage radius	15
fp35	石化時間	Petrification duration	1
fp36	ヒップドロップダメージ	Purple Pikmin drop damage	N/A
fp37	地震気絶確立	Purple Pikmin stun chance	N/A
fp38	地震気絶時間	Purple Pikmin stun time	N/A
ip01	振り払い打撃Ａ	Shake mode 1 – hit count	0
ip02	振り払い張付１	Shake mode 1 – Pikmin requirement	0
ip03	振り払い打撃Ｂ	Shake mode 2 – hit count	0
ip04	振り払い張付２	Shake mode 2 – Pikmin requirement	0
ip05	振り払い打撃Ｃ	Shake mode 3 – hit count	0
ip06	振り払い張付３	Shake mode 3 – Pikmin requirement	0
ip07	振り払い打撃Ｄ	Shake mode 4 – hit count	0
Specific properties
ID	Japanese comment	Property	Value
ip01	吸い込みピキ数(pom)	Number of Pikmin a non-Queen can convert	5
ip02	吐き出し回数(pom)	Number of times a non-Queen spits Pikmin	1
ip11	吸い込みピキ数(pop)	Number of Pikmin a Queen Candypop Bud can convert	1
ip12	吐き出し回数(pop)	Number of times a Queen spits Pikmin	1
ip13	吐き出し倍数(pop)	Number of Pikmin a Queen spits	9
fp01	開花時間	Unknown (flowering time?)	1
fp02	色換え時間	Color change interval, for Queens	2.6
fp03	白黒出現率	Unknown (Purple and White incidence?)	0

Other information

• Pikmin 4 Piklopedia number: #121

Naming

• Common name: Candypop Bud. "Candypop" is the family's name.
• Japanese nickname: ポンガシグサ^?, lit.: "Puffed Grain Weed".
• Japanese name: ポンガシグサ^?. It is the same as the Japanese nickname.
• Scientific name: Flora expellus. The genus is simply the English word "flora", while expellus is derived from the word "expel". In New Player Control! Pikmin's Prima guide, the scientific name was Blossomulus pikminius.

• Technical name: Candypop Bloom
• Internal names: The internal name in Pikmin and Pikmin 2 is pom.
• Prerelease: None.

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	ポンガシグサ? Pongashi-Gusa	Puffed Grain Grass
Chinese (traditional)	爆敏花 Bào-mǐn-huā		From replacing the middle syllable in 爆米花(puffed rice) with the last syllable in 皮克敏 (Pikmin)
Chinese (simplified)	爆敏花 Bào-mǐn-huā		From replacing the middle syllable in 爆米花(puffed rice) with the last syllable in 皮克敏 (Pikmin)
Dutch	Verschietviool	Shifting (color) violet
French	Fleur Cracheuse Fleur cracheuse (Pikmin 4)	Spitter Flower Spitter flower (Pikmin 4)
German	Königinblume	Queen Flower
Italian	Cromanvillea	From "bougainvillea", a genus of flowers that resemble Candypops, and the greek root "chromo" which means "color"
Korean	뻥튀기초 Ppeongtwigi-Cho	Puffed Grain Grass
Portuguese	Fulô-matiz	Hue flower
Spanish	Brote rebotador	Bouncing bud

Gallery

• 

  The data file on Candypop Buds.

• 

  A misplaced Candypop Bud in teki5, showing the root.

• 

  In Pikmin 3, Candypop Buds are closed, even when Pikmin are near it...

• 

  ...but open up if a leader approaches.

• 

  A Gray Candypop Bud after ingesting a bomb rock.

• Wilting away.jpeg

  A Candypop Bud wilting.

• Wilting stage 2.jpeg

  Another picture of a wilting Candypop Bud.

• 

  After the Candypop Bud wilts, the leaves below it become smaller.

• 

  4 closed Candypop Buds in Pikmin 3.

• 

  4 open Candypop Buds in Pikmin 3.

• 

  The Candypop Bud for Rock Pikmin in Pikmin 3.

• 

  The Candypop Bud for Winged Pikmin in Pikmin 3.

• 

  The Candypop Bud for Red Pikmin in Pikmin 3.

• 

  The Candypop Bud for White Pikmin in Pikmin 3.

• 

  The Candypop Bud for Blue Pikmin in Pikmin 3.

• 

  The Candypop Bud's e-card, #54.

Trivia

• In sublevel 3 of the Citadel of Spiders and sublevel 5 of Glutton's Kitchen, a Queen Candypop Bud may fall from the ceiling. It is possible to notice that it has a green root. There are also several Candypop Buds in sublevel 6 of Bulblax Kingdom. Here, if the camera is zoomed in, and if the Candypop Bud is distant enough, the root might be visible through the bottom of the ground.
• In Pikmin, Candypop Buds are technically bosses. As such, approaching them will change the area's music to the battle variant.
• In Pikmin, if the player manages to get to The Distant Spring without unlocking Blue Pikmin, the two blue Candypop Buds in the area will never appear, preventing the player from transforming Pikmin into Blue Pikmin without having activated the Blue Onion.
• There is an unused Candypop Bud-like object named NamaPongashi in Pikmin 3's files . Pikmin that are thrown in die, and new seeds do not come out.
• Rock Candypop Buds were unnamed in Pikmin 3 and would only take until Pikmin 4's Olimar's entry on the Rock Pikmin that they received a name. What Olimar and Louie would specifically write for this exact species of Candypop Bud goes unknown, since entries for Candypop Buds do not exist in Pikmin 3 Deluxe's Piklopedia and all Candypop Buds were coalesced into their own entry in Pikmin 4's Piklopedia.

• 

  NamaPongashi while closed and purple.

• 

  NamaPongashi while open and white.

See also

• Pellet
• Pellet Posy