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Oct. 25, 2006
It Came from the Garden
The dodder plant (Cuscuta pentagona) grows towards the smell of its hapless victims, coiling around them (above). Coiling . . . and coiling . . . while it steals nutrients and water! How monstrous can you be! See "Stalking Plants by Scent."
Think a monster needs teeth to be scary? Think again!
While the movie Attack of the Killer Tomatoes was meant as silly fun, and Swamp Thing of comic book fame is a sympathetic, caring kind of monster (and a personal favorite), the truth is that plants make wonderful models for monsters. You doubt? Try it for yourself!
Challenge: Green and Gruesome!
Here's a list of plants with habits that are, frankly, a little less than friendly. Do a bit of research to find out more about each plant, then pick one to be a model for your newest movie monster! Feel free to exaggerate its abilities and powers. Give it a name!
 | Kudzu kills or degrades other plants by smothering them under a solid blanket of leaves, by girdling woody stems and tree trunks, and by breaking branches or uprooting entire trees and shrubs through the sheer force of its weight. | Photo by Jil M. Swearingen, National Park Service |
- Australian Pine (suspected of poisoning the neighbors!)
- Bladderwort (ambush!)
- Chinese Silvergrass (fire hazard!)
- Dodder (round and round!)
- Dog Strangling Vine (strangles trees, but great name for a monster!)
- Kudzu (chokes everything!)
- Periwinkle (smothers the ground!)
- Poison Ivy (one touch and you’ll never forget!)
- Purple Loosestrife (kicks out the locals!)
- Rotten Potato (do I have to say it?)
- Venus Fly Trap (a classic!)
- Water Hyacinth (chokes waterways!)
- Watermilfoil (turns out the lights!)
 | Known as Eurasian watermilfoil, this aquatic weed can quickly take over lakes, rivers, irrigation canals, farm ponds, and other watery habitats. It crowds out desirable native vegetation, clogs irrigation systems, and makes waterways unsuitable or unpleasant for boating, fishing, and swimming. | Photo by Brian Prechtel, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture |
Write a description of your movie—and monster—that could be used to advertise it online or in a newspaper. Make it exciting! And scary!!! Hint: Look at the descriptions of movies for this Halloween! (Additional exclamation points are required when discussing MONSTERS!!!!)
Going Further:
If you are planning a costume this Halloween, why not go green!? Fool and terrify your friends with a plant-based monster outfit.
Help fill our Monster Gallery!
If you wish, send your "Green and Gruesome" description of a plant-based movie monster to us at scifizone@snkids.com. If we use yours, you may be eligible to win a prize! Please include your first name, age, city or town, and state. If you are under 13 years old, get your parent's permission to write to us.
This week's recommended scifi books
Art gallery
Talk Back:
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