Plant / Legends Plants , collectively referred to as flora by the scientists , were an extremely vast group of organisms found on countless worlds across the galaxy , and the major producers in an ecosystem . In some worlds , such as Felucia , plants were the dominant life form . Trees , grasses , herbs , bushes , fern s and mosses were the most prominent forms of plants . Sentient plants were not very common in the galaxy , with species like the Neti , the Daltarri , the Ergesh , the Orgon , the Thorn monster , the Pliith and the Revwien being rare examples of plants to have developed sentience . Throughout the galaxy , some plants were used for sustenance , others as tools , medicine , or even weapons . Sentient beings also grew vegetal organisms for the sole purpose of enjoying their natural beauty . Biology . Plants were living organisms of the kind exemplified by trees , shrubs , herbs , grasses , fern s , and mosses . They were collectively referred to as flora by the scientists . Nearly every world with atmosphere contained flora . Most commonly , plants absorbed water and inorganic substances through their roots , and synthesized both nutrients in soil and sunlight . They could also be grown in artificial light . On desert worlds like Byss in the Outer Rim Territories , plants had developed extensive taproots to extract water from the deep underground layers . However , there existed carnivorous plants , which derived most of their nutrients from trapping and digesting animal victims . Plants typically grew in a permanent site , but some could move about in search of better light , nutrients or soils . As plants grew , they went to seed to bear their young , and then slowly decayed to organic matter and fertilized their habitat for subsequent generations . Plant life could also be found underwater , in which case it was often known as alga . Within a given ecosystem , the diversity of plant life could be extremely high — on the planet Alderaan alone , there existed more than 8 , 000 different species of grass . Seed plants bore specific reproductive organs known as flowers . The basic structure of flowers was much the same across the galaxy , with a stamen , anther , and pollen . The pollen was a microscopic powder the spread of which allowed plants to reproduce , and was transported by various pollination - agents like the wind , insects , or other animals . The flying , non - sentient insects called bees were known to bumble their way in the blossoms , thus helping pollinate those plants and ensure their survival . Animal species often found it difficult to communicate with plants , since their entire life was based upon an existence where food was present every day . They lacked many concepts Humans and other animal species found natural , but some plants were , in fact , sentient . Vegetal species typically possessed passive natural defenses , such as burrs poisonous leaves or fruits . On the planet Cona , water was scarce , and many plants had evolved ways to defend their water supply , which they stored in gastric pods underground . The plants would poison the water , make thorn traps , and some were carnivorous . Even regular , non - sentient plants were suffused with the Force , like any other type of lifeform . They could " feel " what happened to them and had a certain awareness of their surroundings , but they were not considered properly conscious . On the contrary , some plant species like the Neti from Myrkr , the Ergesh from Ergeshui , or the Revwien from Revyia had evolved to full sentience , while others like the fftssfft of Endor were only semi - sapient . Flowers and plants in culture . In the galaxy , many species would feed on plants , either exclusively — in the case of herbivores — or inclusively — in the case of omnivores . Non - sentient plants provided many parts that were marketed as food , including their leaves , fruits , roots and seeds . Such edible plant parts included the manak leaves , the avedame fruit and the ruik root . Others were used for their medicinal properties , like the bachani plant from Ithor , the namana fruits from Bakura , the carnivorous reeksa plant on Iego or the rare bota species that could be found on Drongar . The scientific study of plants and their properties was called botany . Some species produced particularly devoted botanists : the Ho ' Din from Moltok were reputed for working medical miracles using plants , and the Ithorians were committed to studying and preserving the lush ecosystem of their planet . Plant fiber could be used to make the type of paper used in ancient scrolls . In certain cases , plants could even be used as weapons , like the infamous grenade fungi of Yavin 4 or the widowmakers of Dononter Minor . The Barundi believed that when a person strays from peace without provocation , they are in need of " assisted reincarnation " . The offender was then beaten to death in public with large flowers . The true cause of death , however , is most likely from the poisonous thorns in the petals . Most medicines , even those who are now synthesized , had their beginnings in forest environments . Without medicinal plants , doctors would be completely dependent on chemical cures , many of which were less effective than natural ones . Some medicines , such as Shiarha Root , could not be synthesized . Furthermore , bacteria and other disease - causing organisms tended to mutate and become resistant to medicines , and new ones had to be found to combat deadly diseases . One important source of exotic plants that were used for pharmaceutical purposes was the planet Meris III , where a small harvesting station and landing field oversaw harvesting . Illegal harvesters would sometimes try to steal the plants and take them to other planets for processing . Plant Surge was a was a light side Force power that was based around the channeling of life essence into plants , causing them to grow suddenly . Although this skill was common among Ithorian priests , few Jedi had mastered it . The technique could be used to make plants lash out at the enemy during battle . In the galactic community , flowers were often used for decorative purpose , either cut or not cut . Flowers could be used inside a home in order to make it more beautiful . Cut flowers could be kept in vases filled with water or made into bouquets , which were offered as tokens of love or respect . Some women liked to have flowers twisted in their hair , or tucked behind their ear . People would also cultivate certain plants and flowers like the deep red Malreaux rose s because of their agreeable appearance and smell : for example , the Lars family used to grow purple blossoms in the courtyard of their homestead . Many people liked to liven up and enhance the beauty of their property by having a garden filled with plants like trees , shrubs or flowers . The Grand Palace of Gala was famous for its extensive gardens , where every plant , tree , and flower native to Gala was represented . Tchuspera bushes could be found decorating avenues on Coruscant . Even the Galactic Emperor Palpatine enjoyed a botanical garden complete with many flowers of different colors within his personal skyhook . Plants were also used to decorate public places . For example , the wall surrounding the capital of the planet Romin was planted with cloudflower vines . The brandishing of a flower was also recognized as a universal symbol of peace . It was notably used by Rodian pacifists — a rarity among their kind . The Barundi would often greet strangers by presenting them with flowers . Similarly , when the Ewoks from Endor first met the stormtroopers , the elite soldiers of the Galactic Empire , they welcomed them with flowers . However , when the curious Ewoks tried to use a stormtrooper ' s blaster rifle for a flower holder , the soldier opened fire . Plantlike and floral motifs were also broadly used in decorative arts , especially on worlds that preserved the natural beauty of their landscapes , like Naboo . Sometimes , the clothes of females were decorated with flower - like ornaments , and pieces of architecture were adorned with stylized vegetal motifs . Behind the scenes . Plant life was first introduced in the original " Star Wars " trilogy , which featured many real - life plants . The forests scenes of were shot at in , , featuring notably and .