The "flower" on top of Gloom's head resembles a Rafflesia flower found in the rainforests, which is said to smell like rotten meat.
Gender differences
A female has fewer, albeit larger, spots on its petals.
Special abilities
Gloom's most well-known special ability is launching a horrid-smelling pollen that has been described as smelling like a mixture of old sneakers, garbage, and rotten eggs with a hint of skunk fumes. This stench has shown to smell bad enough to knock out other people and Pokémon, examples of this being Team Rocket and Ash's Charmander.
While not actually seen before evolving into a Vileplume in Holy Matrimony!, James's fiancée, Jessiebelle had a Gloom that was once an Oddish.
Florinda has a Gloom which she wanted to evolve into a Vileplume in Make Room for Gloom. But this Gloom didn't need to evolve after it beat Team Rocket with its powerful SolarBeam attack.
Gloom releases a foul fragrance from the pistil of its flower. When faced with danger, the stench worsens. If this Pokémon is feeling calm and secure, it does not release its usual stinky aroma.
From its mouth Gloom drips honey that smells absolutely horrible. Apparently, it loves the horrid stench. It sniffs the noxious fumes and then drips even more of its honey.
A horribly noxious honey drools from its mouth. One whiff of the honey can result in memory loss. Some fans are said to enjoy this overwhelming stink, however.
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In Generation I, the Glitch h POKé could evolve into Gloom at level 224.
Gloom is the first Pokémon in National Pokédex order to have more than one Pokémon that it can evolve into as of Generation II. Before then, it was Eevee.
Despite Gloom's terrible stench being commonly mentioned in anime and in the Pokédex entries of all of the games, Gloom cannot have the ability Stench.
James's description of Gloom's stench is confused in some sources as a description of his Koffing.
Origin
Gloom appears to resemble the nocturnal flower known as rafflesia arnoldii, which has a foul odor. The fact that its terrible smelling pollen can be made into a wonderful perfume and that 1 in 1000 people enjoy its smell may be a reference to skunks, whose musk has similar qualities.
Name origin
Gloom's name is taken from the word gloom, which refers to something depressing, since it's normally seen with a depressed face. It could also come from bloom, since it's still in the blooming stage of a rafflesia arnoldii. Its Japanese name can be taken to mean 臭い花, stinking flower.
In other languages
German: Duflor - from Duft (smell, noun) and flor.
French: Ortide - Ortie means nettle, fétide means fetid.
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.
For other sprites and images, please see Gloom images on Bulbagarden Archives.
