Plants VS Zombies Inspiration Index

**Plants VS Zombies** is a tower defense video game produced by PopCap Games for PC which serves as the first entry in the Plants VS Zombies franchise. It was released in May 2009.

*Please provide your own knowledge to this page if possible. Descriptions written in italics are speculation and not solid facts.*

## Plants

### Peashooter

General Information: The Peashooter is an offensive plant which is available from the very beginning of the game. Costing 100 Sun to use, it attacks Zombies by shooting peas out of its mouth.

**Motif**: Pea

The pea (Lathyrus oleraceus) is the small spherical seed of a flowering plant species which are botanically classified as fruit. They are the basis of pease porridge and pea soup, two staples of medieval cuisine. The name is derived from the Latin word "pisum".

**Etymology**: This plant's name is based on a slang word for any small or ineffective gun, while also serving as a pun on how this plant shoots peas as projectiles.

### Sunflower

General Information: The Sunflower is a plant which is unlocked after beating Level 1-1. Costing 50 Sun to use, it generates Sun over time which makes it one of the most vital plants in the game.

**Motif**: Sunflower

The common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a species of large herbaceous flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.

### Cherry Bomb

General Information: The Cherry Bomb is a single use, insta-kill plant which is unlocked after beating Level 1-2. Costing 150 Sun to use, it will explode to destroy any Zombies in a 3x3 area.

**Motif**: Cherry

A cherry is the fruit produced by many plants of the Prunus genus. They are classified as a fleshy drupe/stone fruit known for their round, red shapes and long, thin stems. Their name comes from the Latin word "cerasum", which refers to an ancient Greek region called Kerasous located near Turkey.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a pun on a specific type of firework, so named for its resemblance to the fruit.

### Wall-Nut

General Information: The Wall-Nut is a defensive plant which is unlocked after beating Level 1-3. Costing 50 Sun to use, it possesses lots of health which allows it to stall zombies and ultimately protect offensive plants.

**Motif**: Walnut

A walnut is the nut produced by any tree of the Juglans genus. They are not a nut based on the botanical definition, instead being better classified as the edible seed of a drupe or stone fruit. The name is based on the Old English word "wealhhnutu", meaning 'foreign nut' due to originating from Italy.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a pun on "wall" and "nut", referencing its role as a defensive plant.

### Potato Mine

General Information: The Potato Mine is a single-use, explosive plant which is unlocked after beating Level 1-5. Costing 25 Sun to use, it can destroy any zombie that touches it (although it needs to charge up first).

**Motif**: Potato

The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a starchy food and root vegetable native to the Americas which is part of the Solanaceae family. The word "potato" comes from the Spanish word for the plant (patata).

The Potato Mine also possesses features similar to a rodent. Series creator George Fan has confirmed that the Potato Mine was inspired by the film Swiss Family Robinson.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of "potato" and "land mine".

### Snow Pea

General Information: The Snow Pea is an offensive plant which is unlocked after beating Level 1-6. Costing 175 Sun to use, its frozen pea projectiles will slow down Zombies they hit in addition to damaging them.

**Motif**: Snow Pea

The snow pea is an edible-pod pea which is a variant of the Pisum sativum plant.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a pun on its motif using a common word related to the cold.

### Chomper

General Information: The Chomper is a multi-use, insta-kill plant which is unlocked after beating Level 1-7. Costing 150 Sun to use, it can instantly kill any Zombie by eating them although it will need to recharge for a time before it can do so again (portrayed as the Chomper chewing the eaten Zombie).

**Motif**: Venus Flytrap

Chomper's design might also be inspired by Audrey II from the film Little Shop of Horrors.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is based on the word "chomp", defined as 'the act of chewing and munching something loudly or heavily'.

### Repeater

General Information: The Repeater is an offensive plant which is unlocked after beating Level 1-8. Costing 200 Sun to use, it can fire 2 peas at Zombies at once compared to the Peashooter's 1.

**Motif**: Pea

The pea (Lathyrus oleraceus) is the small spherical seed of a flowering plant species which are botanically classified as fruit. They are the basis of pease porridge and pea soup, two staples of medieval cuisine. The name is derived from the Latin word "pisum".

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a pun on a repeating rifle, a type of firearm.

### Puff-shroom

General Information: The Puff-shroom is an offensive plant which is unlocked after beating Level 1-10 which is considered a counterpart to the Peashooter. Its method of attack is shooting spores at Zombies. Due to costing 0 Sun to use, it is a crucial plant in the Night and Fog levels due to no Sun being generated naturally.

**Motif**: Purple-Spored Puffball

Calavatia cyathiformis, commonly known as the purple-spored puffball, is a large species of purplish mushroom of the Agaricaceae family. It is native to prairies and grasslands of North America and Australia.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of the words "puff" (defined as 'a short burst of breath or wind) and "shroom" (short for mushroom).

### Sun-shroom

General Information: The Sun-shroom is a plant which is unlocked after beating Level 2-1 which can be considered a counterpart to the Sunflower. Costing 25 Sun to use, it generates Sun over time which makes it crucial in the Night and Fog levels.

**Motif**: Golden Scalycap

Pholiota aurivella, commonly known as the golden scalycap, is a species of fungus in the Strophariaceae family which is native to New Zealand, southern Canada, and the United States.

### Fume-shroom

General Information: The Fume-shroom is an offensive plant which is unlocked after beating Level 2-2. Costing 75 Sun to use, it attacks Zombies by spraying poisonous gas across a 1x4 area which can also penetrate shields.

**Motif**: Emperor Webcap

Cortinarius archeri, commonly known as the emperor webcap, is a species of mushroom in the Cortinariaceae family which are native to Australia. They are distinctive for their bright purple caps that glisten with slime.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of the words "fume" and "shroom".

### Grave Buster

General Information: The Grave Buster is an instant-use, environment modifier plant which is unlocked after beating Level 2-3. Costing 75 Sun to use, it is used to destroy Graves which frees up space for plants as well as preventing Ambush Zombies from spawning.

**Motif**: Gravestone

A headstone, also known as a tombstone or gravestone, is a marker usually made of stone placed over a grave to indicate the identity of the person buried there. It is traditionally used for Christian, Jewish, and Muslim traditional burials among others.

It has never been outright stated what plant Grave Buster is meant to represent, although the leading theory is that it is a decaying tree.

### Hypno-shroom

General Information: The Hypno-shroom is a single-use plant which is unlocked after beating Level 2-5. Costing 75 Sun to use, it makes Zombies who eat it work for the player by attacking enemy units while usually still armed with their special traits.

**Motif**: Psilocybin Mushroom

Possible specific bases for the Hypno-shroom are the Flying Saucer (Psilocybe azurescens) and the Cordyceps.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of "hypno" and "shroom" (short for mushroom).

### Scaredy-shroom

General Information: The Scaredy-shroom is an offensive plant which is unlocked after being Level 2-6. Costing 25 Sun to use, it can fire spores at enemies but will hide and refuse to attack if a Zombie gets within a 3x3 proximity.

**Motif**: Violet Webcap (Cortinarius violaceus)

Cortinarius violaceus, also known as the violet webcap or violet cort, is a dark purple-colored fungus in the Cortinariaceae family native to the Northern Hemisphere.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is based on "scaredy cat", a slang term for someone who is easily frightened.

### Ice-shroom

General Information: The Ice-shroom is a single-use plant which is unlocked after beating Level 2-7. Costing 75 Sun to use, it will freeze all Zombies currently on the field in place with their speed being reduced for a time even after being able to move again.

**Motif**: Blue Green Aniseed Toadstool

Clitocybe odora, commonly known as the blue green anise mushroom or aniseed toadstool, is a blue-green colored mushroom in the Tricholomataceae family.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of the words "ice" and "shroom" (short for mushroom).

### Doom-shroom

General Information: The Doom-shroom is a single-use, insta-kill plant which is unlocked after beating Level 2-8. Costing 125 Sun to use, it will explode to destroy all Zombies in a 7x5 area while leaving behind a crater on the tile it was planted on which prevents new plants from being placed there for a time.

**Motif**: Black Velvet Bolete

Tylophius alboater, commonly known as the black velvet bolete, is a fungus in the Boletaceae which can be found in North America and eastern Asia. It is colored black to grayish-brown and possesses a velvety texture covered in whitish to gray powder.

This plant's concept might be a visual pun on a mushroom cloud.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of the words "doom" and "shroom" (short for mushroom).

### Lily Pad

General Information: The Lily Pad is an aquatic plant which is unlocked after beating Level 2-10. Costing 25 Sun to use, it can be placed on water tiles which allows non-aquatic plants to be placed on top of it. It is a vital plant for the Pool and Fog levels.

**Motif**: Lilypad

The lilypad is the round, floating leaf of the water lily flower found in the Nymphaeceae family.

### Squash

General Information: The Squash is a single-use plant which is unlocked after beating Level 3-1. Costing 50 Sun to use, it will activate when a zombie gets close to it and crush that zombie from the air which also affects any other zombies on the tile.

**Motif**: Squash

Cucurbita, commonly known as squash or gourds, is a genus of herbaceous fruits in the Cucurbitaceae family which is native to the Andes and Mesoamerica.

**Etymology**: This plant's name (in addition to referencing its basis) is an English term defined as 'crushing or squeezing by force'.

### Threepeater

General Information: The Threepeater is an offensive plant which unlocked after beating Level 3-2. Costing 325 Sun to use, it can fire peas at Zombies across 3 lanes (the one it is planted on as well as the ones above and below).

**Motif**: Pea

The pea (Lathyrus oleraceus) is the small spherical seed of a flowering plant species which are botanically classified as fruit. They are the basis of pease porridge and pea soup, two staples of medieval cuisine. The name is derived from the Latin word "pisum".

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of the words "three", "pea", and "repeater".

### Tangle Kelp

General Information: The Tangle Kelp is a single-use, aquatic plant which is unlocked after beating Level 3-3. Costing 25 Sun to use, it is used to counter waterborne zombies by destroying them upon contact (portrayed as the Tangle Kelp dragging them underwater).

**Motif**: Kelp

Kelp is a type of large brown algae or seaweed found in the Laminariales order. It grows in "underwater forests" (known as kelp forests) in shallow oceans.

Tangle Kelp's design specifically resembles the prickly seaweed (Acanthophora spicifera).

### Jalapeno

General Information: The Jalapeno is an insta-kill plant which is unlocked after beating Level 3-5. Costing 125 Sun to use, it will destroy any zzombies in a single lane while also removing any ice-based effects (such as the Zomboni's ice trails or Dr. Zomboss' iceballs).

**Motif**: Chili Pepper

Chili peppers are a specific variety of plants in the Capsicum genus known for their spice. Believed to originate from Central or South America and first cultivated in Mexico, they are often used in cuisine to add "heat" to dishes. The word "chili" comes from the Nahuatl language.

Jalapeno is specifically based on a cultivar of the chili pepper valued for its spicy flavor.

### Spikeweed

General Information: The Spikeweed is an area-of-effect plant which is unlocked after beating Level 3-6. Costing 100 Sun to use, it will damage grounded zombies as they walk over him and insta-kill Zombonis and Catapult Zombies that touch it (although this latter effect destroys the Spikeweed). Zombies will not attack the Spikeweed.

**Motif**: Spikeweed

Centromadia pungens, also known as the common spikeweed or common tarweed, is a species of plant in the Asteraceae family which is native to the western United States and northern California. It is considered a noxious weed in the Pacific Northwest.

### Torchwood

General Information: The Torchwood is a plant which is unlocked after beating Level 3-7. Costing 175 Sun to use, any peas that pass through a Torchwood will turn into a fireball which deals double damage and effects a 1x1 area instead of a single zombie.

**Motif**: Tree Stump

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a reference to a specific flowering plant family and the organization of the same name from the Doctor Who franchise. Its name is a pun on "torch" as a reference to its fire-based abilities.

### Tall-Nut

General Information: The Tall-Nut is a defensive plant which is unlocked after beating Level 3-8. Costing 125 Sun to use, it possesses incredible amounts of health (even surpassing the Wall-Nut) which allows it to stall zombies and protect offensive plants. It also prevents Pole Vaulting Zombies, Dolphin Rider Zombies, and Pogo Zombies from using their shared ability to jump over plants.

**Motif**: Walnut

A walnut is the nut produced by any tree of the Juglans genus. They are not a nut based on the botanical definition, instead being better classified as the edible seed of a drupe or stone fruit. The name is based on the Old English word "wealhhnutu", meaning 'foreign nut' due to originating from Italy.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of the words "tall" and "walnut".

### Sea-shroom

General Information: The Sea-shroom is an offensive, aquatic plant which is unlocked after beating Level 3-10. It is considered an aquatic counterpart to the Puff-shroom, shooting spores at zombies and costing 0 Sun to use.

**Motif**: Aquatic Gilled Mushroom

Psathyrella aquatica, commonly known as the aquatic gilled mushroom, is a species of fungus in the Psathyrellaceae family native to Oregon in the United States.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of the words "sea" (referencing its aquatic nature) and "shroom" (short for mushroom).

### Plantern

General Information: The Plantern is an environment modifier plant which is unlocked after beating Level 4-1. Costing 25 Sun to use, it clears away fog in a 5x7 area around it.

**Motif**: Streetlamp

A streetlamp, also known as a lamppost among other names, is a raised source of light on the edge of a road or path which are an important source of public security lighting intended to reduce crime.

It is theorized that the Plantern is also based on a tree.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of the words "plant" and "lantern".

### Cactus

General Information: The Cactus is an offensive plant which is unlocked after beating Level 4-2. Costing 125 Sun to use, it shoots spikes at enemies and can also stretch to hit airborne zombies.

**Motif**: Cactus

A cactus is a plant archetype belonging to the Cactaceae family. They generally live in deserts or other dry environments and possess highly specialized sharp spike-like leaves called spines which are able to protect them by harming predators. Their name comes from the Ancient Greek word "kaktos", which describes a spiny plant although what the plant was has been lost to time.

This plant specifically resembles the saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea).

### Blover

General Information: The Blover is a single-use plant which is unlocked after beating Level 4-3. Costing 100 Sun to use, it will blow away all fog on screen as well as airborne Zombies (such as the Balloon Zombie).

**Motif**: Clover

Marsilea quadrifolia, commonly known as a four leaf clover or European waterclover, is a herbaceous plant found in central and southern Europe as well as Eastern Asian countires like China and Japan. It is commonly though that due to being rarer than three-leaf clovers, four leaf clovers bring good luck. The plant is also thought to have been used by Saint Patrick to teach the Irish about the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of "blow" and "clover".

### Split Pea

General Information: The Split Pea is an offensive plant which is unlocked after beating Level 4-5. Costing 125 Sun to use, it shoots peas at enemies in front of it (like a Peashooter) and 2 peas at enemies behind it (like a Repeater).

**Motif**: Split Pea

Split peas are the dried, peeled, and split seeds of the Pisum sativum plant used in the culinary arts.

### Starfruit

General Information: The Starfruit is an offensive plant which is unlocked after beating Level 4-6. Costing 125 Sun to use, it shoots stars in five different directions around it (left, up, down, upper right, and lower right).

**Motif**: Starfruit

Carambola, more commonly known as the starfruit, is the fruit of the Averrhoa carambola tree native to tropical Southeast Asia. It is named after its ridges forming the rough shape of a geometric star.

### Pumpkin

General Information: The Pumpkin is a defensive plant which is unlocked after beating Level 4-7. Costing 125 Sun to use, it can be placed on top of another plant to protect it from harm.

**Motifs**: Pumpkin, Jack-O-Lantern

A pumpkin is a vernacular term for mature winter squash species in the Cucurbita genus native to North America (specifically northeastern Mexico and the southern United States). It is a cultural term with no agreed upon botanical or scientific meaning. They are seen as symbols of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the autumn season. The word derives from the Ancient Greek word for a melon (pepon).

The Jack o' lantern is a carved root vegetable (usually a pumpkin or turnip) that is associated with the holiday of Halloween. Its name comes from another type of mythical spirit called a will-o'-the-wisp. The name may also be based on the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a drunk who works alongside Satan and wanders the Earth with a turnip lantern to light his path. In Irish culture, Jack o' lanterns were believed to have the power to scare off evil spirits.

### Magnet-shroom

General Information: The Magnet-shroom is a plant which is unlocked after beating Level 4-8. Costing 100 Sun to use, it can remove metallic objects from Zombies.

**Motifs**: Spotted Cort, Magnet

Cortinarius iodes, commonly known as the spotted cort, or viscid violet cort, is a species of agaric mushroom in the Cortinariaceae family. They are purple and smily with yellowish spots and streaks.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of "magnet" and "shroom" (short for mushroom).

### Cabbage-pult

General Information: The Cabbage-pult is a lobber plant which is unlocked after beating Level 4-10. Costing 100 Sun to use, it attacks Zombies by throwing cabbages, which can bypass the slope of the Roof levels as well as the shields of certain zombies.

**Motif**: Cabbage

Cabbage is a leafy green plant consisting of several cultivars of the Brassica oleracea plant which is grown as an annual vegetable. Cabbage was a prominent part of European cuisine during the Middle Ages. The word comes from the Middle English word for the head (caboche).

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of "cabbage" and "catapult".

### Flower Pot

General Information: The Flower Pot is an environmental modifier plant which is unlocked after beating Level 5-1. Costing 25 Sun to use, it allows players to place plants on top of it, bypassing normally unusable tiles of the map.

**Motif**: Flowerpot

### Kernel-pult

General Information: The Kernel-pult is a lobber plant which is unlocked after beating Level 5-2. Costing 100 Sun to use, it normally attacks Zombies with kernels, but also will sometimes throw a butter projectile which deals more damage and briefly stuns zombies hit by it.

**Motif**: Corn

Maize (Zea mays), also known in North America as corn, is a cereal grain first domesticated by the indigenous people of southern Mexico. It is a staple food in many parts of the world, sometimes even surpassing wheat and/or rice. It is the most widely grown grain crop in the Americas. The word "maize" is based on the Spanish form of the indigenous Taino word for the plant.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of "kernel" (the term for a corn plant's fruit) and "catapult".

### Coffee Bean

General Information: The Coffee Bean is a plant which is unlocked after beating Level 5-3. Costing 75 Sun to use, it has the ability to wake up mushroom-type plants, allowing them to be used in levels other than Night and Fog.

**Motif**: Coffee Bean

The coffee bean is the fruit of a Coffea plant which is used to create coffee.

### Garlic

General Information: The Garlic is a plant which is unlocked after being Level 5-5. Costing 50 Sun to use, it causes any zombies that eat it to move into a different lane.

**Motif**: Garlic

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a species of bulbous flowering plant in the Amaryllidaceae family which is native to South and Central Asia. It is used worldwide as a seasoning or condiment. Common folklore sees garlic as being capable of warding off vampires and other demonic beings. The name is derived from Old English words meaning 'a spear-shaped leek'.

### Umbrella Leaf

General Information: The Umbrella Leaf is a plant which is unlocked after beating Level 5-6. Costing 100 Sun to use, it can protect plants around itself from Bungee Zombies and basketball projectiles thrown by Catapult Zombies.

**Motif**: Umbrella Leaf

Diphylleia cymosa, commonly known as the umbrella leaf, is an ornamental plant of the Berberidaceae family which is native to the southeastern United States.

### Marigold

General Information: The Marigold is a plant which is unlocked after beating Level 5-7. Costing 50 Sun to use, it produces coins in similar fashion to the Sunflower producing Sun.

**Motif**: Marigold

Tagetes, commonly known as the marigold, is a genus of herbaceous plants in the Asteraceae family native to Mexico. It is regarded in pre-Hispanic Mexican culture as a symbol of the dead, with the plant still being used in Day of the Dead celebrations. Its common name is derived from "Mary's gold", a name for the similar plant Calendula officinalis.

### Melon-pult

General Information: The Melon-pult is a lobber plant which is unlocked after beating Level 5-8. Costing 300 Sun to use, it attacks by throwing watermelons at zombies which deal high damage in a 3x1 area.

**Motif**: Watermelon

The watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is the fruit produced by a flowering vine belonging to the Cucurbitales family. It originates from Africa and has been cultivated worldwide for its sweet, juicy flesh. It is botanically called a pepo, a type of large berry which has a tough outer skin and is filled with many seeds. Its name is based on its commonly wet flesh and its botanical classification.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of "melon" and "catapult".

### Gatling Pea

General Information: The Gatling Pea is an offensive plant which can be bought for $5,000 of in-game currency at Crazy Dave's Twiddydinkies after beating Level 3-4. Costing 250 Sun to use, it is an upgraded version of the Repeater which shoots 4 peas in a single burst.

**Motif**: Pea

The pea (Lathyrus oleraceus) is the small spherical seed of a flowering plant species which are botanically classified as fruit. They are the basis of pease porridge and pea soup, two staples of medieval cuisine. The name is derived from the Latin word "pisum".

**Etymology**: This plant's name is based on the gatling gun.

### Twin Sunflower

General Information: The Twin Sunflower is a plant which can be bought for $5,000 of in-game currency at Crazy Dave's Twiddydinkies after beating Level 3-4. Costing 150 Sun to use, it is an upgraded version of the Sunflower which produces 50 Sun at once at the same rate as its original version.

**Motif**: Sunflower

The common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a species of large herbaceous flowering plant in the Asteraceae family.

### Gloom-shroom

General Information: The Gloom-shroom is an offensive plant which can be bought for $7,500 of in-game currency at Crazy Dave's Twiddydinkies after beating Level 3-4. Costing 150 Sun to use, it is an upgraded version of the Fume-shroom which sprays poisonous fumes in all directions around itself.

**Motif**: Emperor Webcap

Cortinarius archeri, commonly known as the emperor webcap, is a species of mushroom in the Cortinariaceae family which are native to Australia. They are distinctive for their bright purple caps that glisten with slime.

**Etymology**: This plant's name is a combination of "gloom" and "shroom" (short for mushroom).

### Cattail

General Information: The Cattail is an offensive, aquatic plant which can be bought for $10,000 of in-game currency at Crazy Dave's Twiddydinkies after beating 4-5. Costing 225 Sun to use, it is an upgraded version of the Lily Pad which can fire homing spikes at enemies at the cost of losing the ability to place plants on top of it.

**Motif**: Cattail

Typha latifolia, commonly known as the cattail or bulrush among other names, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Typhaceae family native to North and South America as well as Eurasia and Africa.

Cattail's design is also modeled after the domestic house cat.

### Winter Melon

General Information: The Winter Melon is a lobber plant which can be bought for $10,000 of in-game currency at Crazy Dave's Twiddydinkies after beating Adventure Mode. Costing 200 Sun to use, it is an upgraded version of the Melon-pult whose projectiles will freeze enemies to slow them down.

**Motif**: Winter Melon

Benincasa hispida, commonly known as the wax gourd or winter melon, is a vine in the Cucurbitales order native to South and Southeast Asia known for its very large fruit.

### Gold Magnet

General Information: The Gold Magnet is a plant which can be bought for $3,000 of in-game currency at Crazy Dave's Twiddydinkies after beating Level 5-1. Costing 50 Sun to use, it is an upgraded version of the Magnet-shroom which can collect currency for the player.

**Motif**: Magnet

### Spikerock

General Information: The Spikerock is an area-of-effect plant which can be bought for $7,500 of in-game currency at Crazy Dave's Twiddydinkies after beating Level 5-1. Costing 125 Sun to use, it is an upgraded version of the Spikeweed which can withstand multiple wheel pops or Gargantuar smashes.

### Cob Cannon

General Information: The Cob Cannon is an offensive plant which can be bought for $20,000 of in-game currency at Crazy Dave's Twiddydinkies after beating Adventure Mode. Costing 500 Sun to use, it is an upgraded version of the Kernel-pult capable of firing massive corn cob missiles anywhere on the lawn to deal massive damage.

**Motif**: Corn

Maize (Zea mays), also known in North America as corn, is a cereal grain first domesticated by the indigenous people of southern Mexico. It is a staple food in many parts of the world, sometimes even surpassing wheat and/or rice. It is the most widely grown grain crop in the Americas. The word "maize" is based on the Spanish form of the indigenous Taino word for the plant.

## Zombies

**The following Zombies first appears in the Day levels.**

### Zombie

General Information: The Zombie is the most basic of the enemy units which has low toughness compared to its variants. It first appears in Level 1-1.

### Flag Zombie

General Information: The Flag Zombie is an enemy unit holding a red flag with a picture of a human brain on it. These Zombies announce a huge wave of zombies, but other than being slightly faster, they are identical to the basic Zombie. It first appears in Level 1-1.

### Conehead Zombie

General Information: The Conehead Zombie is an enemy unit which resembles a regular zombie wearing a traffic cone on its head. This Zombie has higher health than a basic Zombie, making them more dangerous. It first appears in Level 1-3.

### Pole Vaulting Zombie

General Information: The Pole Vaulting Zombie is an enemy unit which resembles a pole vaulter and/or a track star. It can use its pole to leap over a single plant. It first appears in Level 1-6.

### Buckethead Zombie

General Information: The Buckethead Zombie is an enemy unit which resembles a regular zombie wearing a metal bucket on its head. This Zombie has very high health, making it one of the harder zombies to deal with. It first appears in Level 1-8.

A bucket is a watertight, vertical cylinder with an open top and a flat bottom used as a container. The word derives from the Anglo-Norman French word "buquet".

**The following Zombies first appear in the Night levels.**

### Newspaper Zombie

General Information: The Newspaper Zombie is an enemy unit holding an upside-down newspaper as a shield. After taking enough damage, the newspaper will be destroyed which makes the Zombie angry and causing him to become significantly faster. It first appears in Level 2-1.

A newspaper is a periodical publication containing written information about current events as well as a variety of other topics. Newspapers were first developed in the 17th century and became widespread by the early 19th century.

### Screen Door Zombie

General Information: The Screen Door Zombie is an enemy unit holding a screen door as a shield. The most basic counter to it is the Fume-shroom, whose poison attack can go through the shield to attack the Zombie directly. It first appears in Level 2-3.

### Football Zombie

General Information: The Football Zombie is an enemy unit which resembles an American football player. It possesses high health (even surpassing the Buckethead Zombie) and moves very fast. It first appears in Level 2-6.

American Football, referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada, is a sport played by two teams on a rectangular field. While the rules are complex, the simplest description of the game involves players attempting to carry a specially designed ball down the field to the opposing teams "end zone" to score points. Players on the opposing team try to physically tackle the player holding the ball and push them down so they touch the ground. It should not be confused with the similar sport of soccer, which is also called football in many countries outside of the United States.

### Dancing Zombie

General Information: The Dancing Zombie is an enemy unit which resembles a 1970's disco dancer. It can summon four Backup Dancers in a cross pattern which move in rhythm with the Dancing Zombie. It first appears in Level 2-8.

Note: This enemy is inspired by Michael Jackson's Thriller, with its original design being directly modeled after the singer. After his death, Jackson's estate objected to the homage and PopCap agreed to change its design in all future releases.

**The following Zombies first appear in the Pool levels.**

### Ducky Tube Zombie

General Information: The Ducky Tube Zombie is an enemy unit which resembles a regular zombie wearing a duck-themed inner ring. It is capable of moving in water, although it otherwise functions identically to the basic Zombie. It first appears in Level 3-1.

### Snorkel Zombie

General Information: The Snorkel Zombie is an enemy unit which wears a tank top and swimming trunks. It will submerge into water, making it immune to straight shooting plants. It first appears in Level 3-3.

### Zomboni

General Information: The Zomboni is an enemy unit which is a zombie riding an ice resurfacer. It can run over any plant in its path and leave behind a temporary ice trail that plants cannot be placed on. The most basic counter to it is using the Spikeweed, which can instantly destroy it. Jalapenos can also be used to remove the ice trail faster. It first appears in Level 3-6.

An ice resurfacer is a vehicle or hand-pushed device used to clean and smooth the surface of a sheet of ice, usually in an ice rink. Due to being first developed by American inventor Frank Zamboni, these devices are sometimes called "Zambonis".

### Zombie Bobsled Team

General Information: The Zombie Bobsled Team is an enemy unit which wears a red jumpsuit. It will appear after the formation of an ice trail by a Zomboni in groups of 4, riding a bobsled across the ice trail before getting off. Their individual statistics are the same as a basic zombie. It first appears in Level 3-6.

### Dolphin Rider Zombie

General Information: The Dolphin Rider Zombie is an enemy unit which wears a red jumpsuit and is carrying a zombie bottlenose dolphin which is considered an aquatic counterpart of the Pole Vaulting Zombie. It will ride on the dolphin on water tiles for increased speed before leaping over the first plant it encounters. The most basic counter to it is using the Tall-Nut, which can't be vaulted over and makes the Dolphin Rider waste their single-use ability. It first appears in Level 3-8.

Bottlenose dolphins are a group of dolphins in the Tursiops genus which inhabit warm and temperate seas worldwide. They are a popular attraction in aquariums due to their intelligence and playfulness. The word dolphin is derived from the Greek word for the womb (delphus).

**The following Zombies first appear in the Fog levels.**

### Jack-in-the-Box Zombie

General Information: The Jack-in-the-Box Zombie is an enemy unit which resembles a patient at an insane asylum. It will play the Jack-in-the-Box which, when triggered, will blow up every plant in a 3x3 area around him. The most basic counter to it is using the Magnet-shroom, which can steal the Jack-in-the-Box from it. It first appears in Level 4-1.

A jack-in-the-box is a children's toy consisting of a box with a crank that, when turned a sufficient number of times, causes a lid containing a figure such as a clown or jester to pop out of the box. Many jacks-in-the-box play a melody to indicate how long the crank must be turned (a common choice being the nursery rhyme Pop Goes the Weasel) with the activation occurring at the end of the song, although some will have the box open randomly to make a more effective startle. A theory claims that the toy originates from the 14th-century legend of Sir John Schorne, who sealed a devil inside of a boot to save the village of North Marston (evidence including that the toy is known as "diable en boite" or 'devil in a box' in French). The jack-in-the-box was inducted into the U.S. National Toy Hall of Fame in 2005.

### Balloon Zombie

General Information: The Balloon Zombie is an enemy unit who resembles a young child wearing a propeller hat. It can fly over plants, with the only counters being the Cactus (who can pop the balloon) or a Blover (who can blow them away for an instant kill). It first appears in Level 4-3.

Balloons are flexible bags which can be inflated using various types of gases. The modern day rubber balloon was invented by Michael Faraday in 1824.

### Digger Zombie

General Information: The Digger Zombie is an enemy unit who resembles a coal miner. It will burrow through the ground and attack plants from the left side where most plants can't aim. The most basic counter to it is using the Split Pea. It first appears in Level 4-6.

### Pogo Zombie

General Information: The Pogo Zombie is an enemy unit who is riding on a pogo stick. It can jump over multiple plants. The main counters to it are the Tall-Nut (who can block their jumps) and the Magnet-shroom (who can steal their pogo sticks). It first appears in Level 4-8.

### Zombie Yeti

General Information: The Zombie Yeti is a special enemy unit who resembles the cryptid of the same name. It first appears in Level 4-10, but only after the player has completed Adventure Mode.

The Yeti, also known to Western audiences as the Abominable Snowman, is a very well-known cryptid who originated from Himalayan folklore in Asia. It is a ape-like creature coated in white fur that lives in cold environments. It is often compared to Bigfoot, both of which being arguably the most famous and sought-after cryptids in the world. Its name derives from the language of Tibet, meaning 'rocky bear'.

**The following Zombies first appear in the Roof levels.**

### Bungee Zombie

General Information: The Bungee Zombie is an enemy unit with medium Toughness. It will descend from the sky and steal a plant on a targeted tile if not destroyed in time. The most basic counter to it is using the Umbrella Leaf. It first appears in Level 5-1.

### Ladder Zombie

General Information: The Ladder Zombie is an enemy unit wearing a red plaid jacket and jeans. It carries a ladder which functions as a shield and can be placed on a plant to allow Zombies to climb over the affected plant. The Ladder Zombie moves faster while carrying its ladder. It first appears in Level 5-3.

### Catapult Zombie

General Information: The Catapult Zombie is an enemy unit riding on a wooden catapult-like vehicle. It can lob basketballs at the farthest possible plant on a lane. It first appears in Level 5-6.

### Gargantuar

General Information: The Gargantuar is an enemy which which takes the form of an enormous and muscular zombie. It can smash any plant in its path, instantly killing it, and can throw an Imp to attack plants from a distance. Combined with its extremely high health, the Gargantuar is the most dangerous non-boss Zombie in the game. It first appears in Level 5-8.

Etymology: This Zombie's name is based on the word "gargantuan".

### Imp

General Information: The Imp is an enemy unit which resembles a tiny zombie. It is mainly spawned by the Gargantuar. It first appears in Level 5-8.

### Dr. Zomboss

General Information: Dr. Zomboss is the main antagonist of the game who serves as the final boss in Level 5-10.

Etymology: This Zombie's name is a combination of the words "zombie" and "boss".

## Ideas

### Plants

* Acorn
* Agave
* Alfalfa
* Almond
* Anemone
* Apricot
* Asparagus
* Baby's Breath
* Bee Orchid
* Blood Orange
* Boysenberry
* Buddha's Hand
* Butterworts
* Cantaloupe
* Chestnut
* Chickpea
* Chokeberry
* Cinnamon
* Cloudberry
* Cobra Lily
* Corkscrew Plant
* Cucumber
* Cupid's Dart
* Dragon Fruit
* Dragon Tree
* Easter Lily
* Eggplant
* Electric Daisy
* Fennel
* Fig
* Flame Orchid
* Foxglove
* Gac Fruit
* Gardenia
* Gooseberry
* Grapefruit
* Green Bean
* Gum Tree
* Hazelnut
* Hollyhocks
* Honeydew
* Horned Melon
* Horsetail
* Hurricane Lily
* Jackfruit
* Jade Plant
* Jasmine
* Jujube
* Kumquat
* Leek
* Lemon
* Lentil
* Leopard Plant
* Lily of the Valley
* Lima Bean
* Lime
* Lotus
* Lychee
* Mallow
* Mandrake
* Mango
* Marguerite
* Miracle Fruit
* Mung Bean
* Narcissus
* Nutmeg
* Pansy
* Papaya
* Passion Fruit
* Pecan
* Pineapple
* Pine Tree
* Pistachio
* Pitcher Plant
* Plum
* Poison Ivy
* Quince
* Rafflesia
* Rambutan
* Raspberry
* Rhododendron
* Ribbonweed
* Rosemary
* Salak
* Sassafras
* Sea Lettuce
* Sesame Seed
* Shallot
* Spinach
* Tamarind
* Watercress
* Waterwheel Plant
* Wheat
* Willow Tree
* Wolfsbane
* Woodapple
* Yacon
* Yam
* Ylang Ylang
* Zinnia
* Zucchini

## See Also

* Plants VS Zombies 2 Inspiration Index 1 (Plants)
* Plants VS Zombies 2 Inspiration Index 2 (Zombies)
* Plants VS Zombies Heroes Inspiration Index