{{Bulbanews|On the Origin of Species: Paras and Parasect}}
{{Bulbanews|On the Origin of Species: Paras and Parasect}}
There are many forms of fungus that grow on insects, any one of which could have inspired Parasect's design, like the ''entomophthora muscae'', which grows on the back of the common {{wp|housefly}}. Its base insect is a distorted version of what is probably a cicada nymph, the parasetic fungi having caused a form of {{wp|neoteny}}.
There are many forms of fungus that grow on insects, any one of which could have inspired Parasect's design, like the ''Entomophthora muscae'', which grows on the back of the common {{wp|housefly}}. Its base insect is a distorted version of what is probably a cicada nymph, the parasetic fungi having caused a form of {{wp|neoteny}}.
Like its previous stage, Parasect is an insectoid creature. However, in this stage, the mushroom has completely overtaken the host's body. The insect has been drained of nutrients and is now under the control of the fully grown tochukaso.
Due to the influence of the tochukaso in its growth, the insect's metamorphosis has been stunted and it instead resembles a grotesque, exaggerated version of its former self. Its pincers and legs have grown much larger and the mushrooms on its back have grown together into one giant mushroom. Its eyes have become whited out resembling those of zombies, likely due to its being possessed by the tochukaso.
These mushrooms that grow on Parasect are often prized by collectors.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
The mushroom completely takes over its host's body. Parasect now has more control over it. It still releases irritating spores that can paralyze, poison, or put to sleep.
Behavior
Although appearing to be docile, they are actually quite dangerous and will attempt to attack anything that invades their territory. They can use many moves which involve slashing, such as Slash, Cross Poison, and X-Scissor, which makes them quite deadly.
Parasect can often be found in caves, since sunlight and dry air hurt their skin. They can also thrive in dank forests with a suitable amount of humidity, where conditions are ideal for fungi. It is most common in Kanto, but can be found almost anywhere Paras can be found.
Parasect first featured in The Problem with Paras under the ownership of Cassandra as a very weak Paras. Cassandra needed it to evolve into a Parasect so she can use the giant mushroom to aid in her medical research. After it battled with Ash's Pokémon (albeit, all of them except his disobedient Charmeleon not trying at all), and a battle with Team Rocket, Paras evolved.
In the Gold, Silver & Crystal arc of Pokémon Adventures, Crystal uses a Parasect extensively in her Pokémon capturing, using its Spore attack to put targets to sleep. Her Parasect is seen to be capable of increasing the radius of its Spore attack to at least 3 km. In Volume 11, the origin of Crystal's Parasect is revealed: it, along with Crystal's Natu, Hitmonchan, and Cubone, were wild Pokémon living in Mt. Mortar and had fought with a local Arcanine that had gone berserk from a severe eye injury. Parasect was able to create medicinal spores to help Arcanine heal and Crystal recover from her fractured arms. In Volume 13, Crystal reveals yet another ability of Parasect: it is able to use the powder attacks it possesses to combine into a wider range of spores, including one for corroding metals.
Parasect is known to infest large trees en masse and drain nutrients from the lower trunk and roots. When an infested tree dies, they move onto another tree all at once.
Parasect are known to infest the roots of large trees en masse and drain nutrients. When an infested tree dies, they move onto another tree all at once.
Parasect and Paras are the only Pokémon in the game to take more than 4 times as much damage from any one type of attack under normal battle conditions (if they have the ability Dry Skin, they both take 5× damage from Template:Type2 attacks).
In Generation I, Poison-type attacks are super effective against Bug-type Pokémon, making Parasect and Paras the only Pokémon to have ever had three 4× weaknesses, as well as a 4× weakness to Poison.
Parasect and its pre-evolved form, Paras, share their species name with Shroomish, Breloom, Foongus, Amoonguss. They are all known as Mushroom Pokémon.
These are also the only Pokémon that can have the ability Effect Spore without having come from the Dream World.
There are many forms of fungus that grow on insects, any one of which could have inspired Parasect's design, like the Entomophthora muscae, which grows on the back of the common housefly. Its base insect is a distorted version of what is probably a cicada nymph, the parasetic fungi having caused a form of neoteny.
Name origin
Parasect's name could be a combination of "parasite" and "insect", referring to the parasitic mushroom on this insect's back. Alternatively, it could be a combination of "parasite" and "sect", which is the Latin word for cut.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
Big Mushroom (8%)
For other sprites and images, please see Parasect images on Bulbagarden Archives.
