Mother Nature is everywhere, and in the world ofPokemon,it’s maintained by an abundance ofGrass-type Pokemon. Whether pure Grass or dual-typed, each Pokemon with this typinguses the power of the Earthto protect themselves in battle, whether using photosynthesis to power up moves or whipping vines and shooting razor-sharp leaves.
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In thePokemonuniverse, Grass-types can derive from the botanical world with simple designs or be an amalgamation of creatures to represent nature. Whatever the case,Grass-type Pokemon are some of the most creative in design, lending to their inspiration from the natural world outside the franchise.
10Breloom
The design of Breloom is quite ambiguous, but looking closer, players will see inspiration from the kangaroo in its strong legs, tail, and posture. This also connotes the Fighting-type, as kangaroos are known for fighting and their powerful kicks. The Grass-type comes out through the pale green and yellow coloring (from its pre-evolution Shroomish) and the mushroom-like growth on its head.
Known as the Mushroom Pokemon, it uses the hole on its head to scatter spores, according to itsEmeraldPokedex entry. The spheres on its tail are seeds that are “made of toxic spores,” so it can disperse spores and fight simultaneously.
9Sawsbuck (All Forms)
There arefour variants of Sawsbuck, changing with each season. The designs are good in their own right, tying in the spring, summer, autumn, autumn, and winter. According to theVioletPokedex entry for the Winter Form of Sawsbuck, it’s the least favorite among trainers. Strangely enough, the Winter Form is the most unique of the bunch, with its white branch antlers and the white fur on its chest and legs, making them look wrapped in snow.
There are many deer that Sawsbuck could be based on, but it’s most likely that the design draws inspiration from the Pere David Deer. Theircoat changes with the seasons, and during breeding season, they “gather foliage on their antlersas a display.”
8Cacnea
Known as the Cactus Pokemon, Cacnea seems to be primarily based on the Barrel cactus with its body, mixing with other plants like the Saguaro cactus on its arms. Cacnea is covered in massive spikes that it shoots out at its foes, with two substituting for its legs on the bottom of its body. A yellow flower tops its head, which is typically associated with the Prickly Pear cactus.
Cacnea has a creepy, Jack-o’-Lantern-like carving for its face, giving the Pokemon a bit of a creepy vibe. But then again, Cacnea is a sentient cactus, after all.
7Lurantis
Despite not being a Bug-type Pokemon, Lurantis looks like an orchid mantis from the pale pink coloring and the scythe-like appendages. Known as the Bloom Sickle Pokemon, Lurantis uses masquerades as a Bug-type Pokemon to lower “the guard of actual Bug Pokemon lured in by ascent of sweet flowers,” according to itsScarletPokedex entry. “Its sickles bring them down.”
An orchid mantis camouflages as the flower, whichthe pure Grass-type Lurantisdoes the opposite way. In theUltra SunPokedex entry, it’s said that Lurantis pretends to be a bug for “self-protection” and that its sickle-like arms are actually “keen-edge petals.”
6Floragato
Some players hoped that theGrass starter Sprigatitowould stay as a quadrupedal Pokemon until its final evolution. It was pretty clear that this wouldn’t happen, as it was revealed that its secondary evolution Floragato would stand on two legs. Even though this design choice was controversial among some fans, it fits with the design inspiration of the European fairy talePuss in Boots.
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The dark green coloring on its feet and legs suggests that Floragato is wearing boots, and the dark masked-shaped fur on its face and poncho-like leaf on its chest lend to thePuss in Bootsvibe. Too. Like Sprigatito, Floragato also seems to be based on the Iberian lynx, a wild cat native to the Iberian peninsula.
5Pumpkaboo
Although Pumpkaboo is a Ghost/Grass-type, its design is absolutely adorable. It doesn’t go the stereotypical route of making a sentient Jack-o’-Lantern with the carving as its actual face. Instead, the pumpkin is used as the base for the body of the Pokemon, with a furry cat-like creature coming out the top.
Despite its cuteness,Pumpkaboo’s Ghost-typingdoes lend to some creepy lore. According to its Pokedex entry inX,“the pumpkin body is inhabited by a spirit trapped in this world,” and inY, “it is said to carry the wandering spirits to the place where they belong, so they can move on.” Depending on size, Pumpkaboo prefers to spirit children or adults away to the afterlife.
4Flapple
Known as the Apple Wing Pokemon, Flapple is one of the smallest Dragon-types in all of Pokemon. It was the smallest until the sushi Dragon-type Tatsugiri was introduced inScarletandViolet.
Taking the apple and the worm image and bringing it to life, Flapple uses the fruit’s skin to fashion a set of wings and protective armor. If Flapple were to fold in on itself, it would return to its apple shape. All that would be poking out would be its eyes and horn, similar to its pre-evolution Applin. Though in that case, the eyes were the stalk with a worm-like tail.
3Grovyle
Rarelya mid-evolution of a starterisn’t representative of an awkward phase. But Grovyle manages to avoid that by being just enough of its pre and evolved forms to produce a well-rounded second evolution. Its design is a mix between a gecko and lizard, calling back to the prehistoric roots of these animals with leaves resembling feathers on its arms and tail.
The main inspiration for Grovyle’s design seems to come from the leaf-tailed gecko, which can camouflage among its habitat by looking eerily like a leaf.
2Decidueye & Hisuian Decidueye
Introduced as a starter inSunandMoon, Decidueye is a Grass/Ghost-type owl known as the Arrow Quill Pokemon. InLegends: Arceus, this final evolution was changed to be a Grass/Fighting-type, with an updated design to match. Likethe other Hisuian startersinLegends: Arceus,Hisuian Decidueye has adapted to its environment with a thicker plumage of feathers and an autumnal look. Its new design is based on Samurai archers, lending primarilyto the Ayaigasa-like hat. Whereas Alolan Decidueye is based on a typical archer, more so the legend of Robin Hood.
Both iterations of Decidueye may also link back to the Pueo, an owl native to Hawaii that’s active during the day. These birds are often linked to theAumakua, which in Hawaiian culture “are family gods that take the shape of animals” and “act as guardians of the families connected to them,” according toHawaii Magazine.
1Leafeon
Known as the Verdant Pokemon, the pure Grass-type Leafeon carries on the typical silhouette of the Eeveelution line in that it’s a mammal taking inspiration from canines. Leafeon has such a specific design relating to its typing that it looks like its ears and tail are actually leaves. The Pokemon uses these appendages to absorb power from sunlight through photosynthesis.
Even though its tail looks as though it’s pretty fragile, it’s incredibly sharp, according to Leafeon’s Pokedex entry inShield, and has a “fantastic cutting edge that can slide right through large trees.” Its brown paws also make it look like it’s been dipped in dirt or soil.
