On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations behind

[BulbaBot]

On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations behind Pokémon

In another column exploring the likely cultural and zoological origins of Pokémon species, we take a look at Gloom and Vileplume.

Read more on Bulbanews

 

[winstein]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

At last! Another "On the Origin of Species" article! Anyway, the Raffelsia is indeed a really strange flower, since it isn't really one. I live in South East Asia, so that's why I am familiar with them.

By the way, George, what happened last week that required you to postpone the article?

 

[KidWithTheGoldenArmaldo]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

Great article.

And who among us can honestly say that they wouldn't want a corpse flower in their garden?

Hmm... Maybe it's just me, then.

lol, great ending. ^^

 

[Super Seaking]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

Good article as always, George....although you should have mentioned the fact that while the Raffelsia dosnt have Chlorophyll, Gloom and Vileploom do: they have the ability of the same name, and Synthesis.

Unless you did mention it and I just didnt notice.

 

[Bittersweet]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

Wow, Vileplume really looks like that flower.

Great article.

 

[rbogey]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

I've always known about this flower, and I loved that two cool Pokemon are based on it.

 

[Dewgong Reign]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

I want a corpse flower in my garden. It'll go nicely with the pitcher plants and venus fly traps.

Somewhere in the world, a fly just fainted.

 

[Ranger Jack Walker]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

Never really cared too much for the Oddish line but a great article.

The flower on Venusaur's back also looks like a Rafflessia.

 

[Coasting Wingull]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

Oh Vileplume, I remember last year when I studied you in my science textbook. Almost had a heartatack when I saw your giant flower.

 

[Gordon]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

Wow, I had never heard of this flower... quite odd...

Now, the question on everyone's mind... how does Bellossom tie into this?

 

[Synesus]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

Now, the question on everyone's mind... how does Bellossom tie into this?

I'm pretty sure it doesn't.

 

[Gordon]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

Well I was just wondering what it was based on... since it evolves with a stone from the sun (implying photosynthesis...) rather than a leaf stone (which can relate to it's parasitic nature of sucking the life out of leaves).

Though with it being unrelated to Oddish, I am not surprised if it's also unrelated to Bellossom. Just thought I'd throw my inquiries out there.

 

[Ranger Jack Walker]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

I'm pretty sure that the descision to make it an alternate evolution to Gloom was made after Belossom was fully designed. Thats what I think.

 

[Kamex]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

Another great article. Rafflesias are indeed very intriguing. And I've always liked Gloom and Vileplume's design. It's really a shame that they're threatened.

Maybe you could do Bellossom next?

 

[99unownoak]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

Cool Flower. I want one

 

[Porygandrew]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

If you're still following this - how about a quick "Origin of" that gives an over-view of the newly-released 5th gen, any over-arching design concepts and things like that, in contrast to the previous generations.

Well, maybe it wouldn't be a 'quick' article...

 

[papermen]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

This one was pretty obvious, there need to be more articles on obscure origins of Pokémon.

 

[Zekurom]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

Well, really, considering that Vileplume's name in Japanese is "Rafflesia"...

 

[SharKing]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

Well, "Rafureshia", actually, but close enough.

I always find these articles informative and interesting, even with the more obvious origins. I had fun reading about the rafflesia, though I doubt I'd actually want to have a "corpse flower" in my yard.

 

[Zekurom]

Re: On the Origin of Species: Gloom and Vileplume: Investigating the inspirations beh

Well, "Rafureshia", actually, but close enough.

According to Bulbapedia, it's "Ruffresia". (Romanization, not Romaji, is what I'm talking about.) But I'm pretty sure we all know where it actually comes from.

But yes, it was informative and interesting. I didn't know that the petals only appeared for a few days, for example.