Ecorb Ecorbs were a sentient species that inhabited the Detral Pits . They had coiled attachments called hampa s on their gelatinous heads and possessed red , pulsating blup sack s . Ecorbs were said to have grown hampas after excessively feeding themselves with a particular species of radiant orange and blue flower , a trait that was supposedly hereditarily transmitted to following generations . Biology and appearance . Ecorbs were dark yellow - colored , scaly - skinned sentient social beings hatched from eggs in nests . Each ecorb possessed a gelatinous head with a painfully constricting , coiled shell - like hampa on top and a large red blup sack that pulsated rhythmically when the individual was happy . The species was capable of dreaming while sleeping and was known to have nightmares on occasion . Ecorbs had sharp teeth and amber - colored eyes , as well as dark patterns on their backs . They were able to speak and possessed at least two sexes , male and female . Older ecorbs were known to produce spit from their nostrils . They inhabited a location known as the Detral Pits , and they freely and unhurriedly slid across the region . History . According to a story known to every ecorb , their species did not always have hampas on their heads . During a period referred to as " the Mercurial and Long Time Away From Here Times , " they lived happily and slid freely and lazily across the Detral Pits , until one night an orange and blue flower grew from a slimy rock . The ecorbs , never before having seen a flower , were tantalized . All of them gathered around it , puzzled by its appearance . They then discussed what it could be and what they should do with it , eventually deciding on eating the flower . An elder ecorb warned against this , but he was ultimately ignored . The flower petals were divided among the ecorbs and eaten . The plant had a psychotropic effect on the ecorbs , who felt giddy , laughed , and danced . After they went to sleep , however , they had nightmares of disembodied eyes and bloody teeth . When the morning came , hundreds of orange and blue flowers blossomed , surrounding the ecorbs . They decided to eat all of the flowers , against the advice of the older ecorb , who eventually proved to be right : the overeating of the plants made them feel very sick . Painfully , hampas then suddenly started to sprout on the top of their heads , which made the ecorbs feel constantly miserable from that point on , while the flowers had all but disappeared , never to be seen again . According to the story , hampa growth became a hereditary trait passed down to new generations due to this incident . Behind the scenes . The ecorbs were featured in a one - page story titled " How the Ecorb Got Its Hampa , " written by Bob Carrau for the 1993 book " Monsters and Aliens from George Lucas " , a publication that combines creature designs and photographs from various projects of George Lucas , creator of the " Star Wars " franchise , with original text by Carrau . The ecorb ' s physical appearance was based on final production design by Richard Van der Wende for the two - headed creature from " Willow " , a 1988 fantasy film directed by and based on a story by Lucas . Lucasfilm employee Leland Chee , who maintains the Holocron continuity database , has indicated that information contained in the book is non - canonical .