This is an overview article, listing content appearing in multiple Fallout media. For information specific to a given game or TV series, consult the table on the right. |
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Spore plants are genetically engineered Venus flytraps cultivated at Big MT Research and Development Center and included in the research of Vault 22. After escaping containment, spore plants spread across the West Coast with growth reaching as far as Zion Canyon in Utah.
Background[]
Originally a part of the X-22 botanical garden lab at Big MT, spore plants were later incorporated into the agricultural experiments of Vault 22 with the transfer of Beauveria mordicana. The plants breached the confines of the Vault and proliferated into the wasteland thanks to the escaping Vault dwellers from 22, spreading the spore plants to Utah's Zion Canyon and reaching as far north as Arroyo. The spore plants will attack anything within its range, which despite being rooted in the ground, can be quite far with corrosive spit that it can secrete and shoot at significant speed and range. This marked the evolution of the spore plant from 2241, as prior spore plants would throw spikes at perceived threats. The use of spikes did not disappear from spore plants, however, as spikes now grow at the base of spore plants, likely to protect themselves from being uprooted.[1]
When investigating Vault 22, research scientist Keely noted that although they largely ignored her as she progressed through the vault, they were capable of contaminating her live samples.[2] Spore plants also seem to have a symbiotic relationship with mantises, as mantises will feed some of their prey to the spore plants and allow them to grow in the proximity of their oothecae, likely to protect the still growing young mantises. But - as Keely noted - when mantises attempted to feed her to the plants, they were "disinclined to eat ghoul meat"; indicating a preference among the species.[3]
Keely continues to report that one of the chemicals secreted by the spore plants serves as a mild stimulant when ingested by humans, and reiterates to the Courier the utmost importance in keeping the vault sealed, to avoid any more spores escaping the quarantine.[2][4]
Characteristics[]
Spore plants are violent in nature and attack without provocation. They are immune to poison and radiation.
Variants[]
Spore plant[]
A normal spore plant. They possess two attacks: one is a thorn, which it shoots at its enemies, the other is a bite from its thorny maw. Spore plants grow only a few specialized shooting spikes at a time, so a spore plant barrage is always brief. One can recover thorns (named plant spike) and use them as a weapon.
Spore plant[]
A spore plant growing in the Mojave Wasteland.
Giant spore plant[]
A giant version of the basic spore plant, found in Zion Canyon and Big MT.
Seymour[]
The Professor living in Broken Hills has created an intelligent, talking spore plant named Seymour.
Dionaea Muscipula[]
A unique specimen of the spore plant found in Big MT northeast of the Signal Hills transmitter and is the most powerful variant of the spore plant.
Behind the scenes[]
The spore plant is an homage to the film The Little Shop of Horrors.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Changes of spore plants from Fallout 2 to Fallout: New Vegas
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Courier: "Has your research here turned up anything interesting?"
Keely: "A few things here and there, but a lot of the data has been corrupted, and all of the live samples have been contaminated by the spore plants. One interesting thing I found is that one of the chemicals secreted by the spore plants serves as a mild stimulant when ingested by humans. As far as I can tell, it has no side effects or addictive properties, aside from the inherent psychological ones, of course. Now that I think of it, there was a Cpl. Farber back at McCarran who'd probably be interested in it. There's a sample of it around here somewhere."
(Keely's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "What were you doing down in that cave?"
Keely: "The mantises and spore plants virtually ignored me for most of the time that I've been here. It was only once I began to investigate the fifth level that my presence began to agitate them. I guess I was a little too close to home for them. A few days ago, I was attacked by a large number of mantises and was knocked unconscious. When I woke up, I was in that cave. The mantises seem to feed some of their prey to the plants. Fortunately for me, it appears the plants are disinclined to eat ghoul meat."
(Keely's dialogue) - ↑ The Courier: "Why is the door to the entrance locked?"
Keely: "Are you kidding me? This place is under quarantine! We can't let a single spore get out of this place if we can help it."
(Keely's dialogue)