Pianta

"You saved me! Thanks a bundle!"

- Pianta

The Piantas are a sentient species of people found on Isle Delfino in Super Mario Sunshine. They somewhat resemble humans; however, Piantas are much larger and can have pink, green, brown, purple, red, orange, yellow, or blue skin. Piantas also have small palm trees growing out of the top of their heads, indicating that they may have come from tropical plants. Typically, Piantas wear grass skirts or grass dresses. Piantas are generally laid back, quite strong, and friendly. However, they also have a fairly big temper. Besides Super Mario Sunshine, Piantas have appeared as a recurring species in many spin-off games and also appeared in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

''Super Mario Sunshine
In Super Mario Sunshine, Piantas share their island home with the Nokis. While the Nokis mostly live in Noki Bay, the Piantas mainly reside in Pianta Village. However, while Pianta Village is their primary home, Piantas live all over the island. Many Piantas make a living by producing and selling fruits in small markets on Delfino Plaza. Piantas love fruit, so there will always be a substantial demand for fruit in the island's economy.

Piantas are also a very strong species as they can toss Mario with ease. One Pianta tells Mario that these Piantas are called Chucksters, as well as some of the Chucksters themselves. Mario can sometimes use this to his advantage by having a Pianta toss him to high ledges and cliffs.

Super Mario Galaxy 2
Piantas appear in Super Mario Galaxy 2 in one galaxy, the Starshine Beach Galaxy, which is based, at least in part, on different areas from Isle Delfino. Their roles are quite minor, but they can hurl Mario to various spots. These Piantas, however, will hurl Mario to another area without him needing to engage them in conversation first.

Mario Kart series
Piantas appear as spectators in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 and Mario Kart Wii.

''Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Piantas reappear in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, where they are one of the many species living in Rogueport. Here, the attitude of the Piantas is different, and they are organized in the criminal organization known as the Pianta Syndicate, lead by Don Pianta. They have control of Rogueport's west side, and are rivaling with the Robbo Gang led by Ishnail, who operate on the east side.

Mario Tennis series
Piantas appear in Mario Power Tennis for the Nintendo GameCube as spectators and Mario Power Tennis for the Game Boy Advance as NPCs and spectators.

Mario Baseball series
Piantas are playable characters in Mario Superstar Baseball and Mario Super Sluggers. All of the playable Piantas are male gendered.

Mario Football series
Piantas also appear in both Mario Football games: Mario Smash Football and Mario Strikers Charged Football as spectators.

Mario Party 8
Piantas appear throughout Goomba's Booty Boardwalk in Mario Party 8. The Doot Doot Sisters dance at the beginning, but have no certain purpose. Yellow Piantas will toss the player about five to eight spaces ahead if they land on his Green Space. Blue Piantas will fish the player a piece of Candy if their Green Space is landed on. Lastly, orange females run the Candy shops.

Mario & Sonic series
Piantas appear in the crossover title Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. They also appear in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, where they're in the crowd, and are also present as a VIP.

Super Mario Sunshine Description
''These mountain folk are strong, sociable, and curious. The trees on their heads provide relief from the island's heat.''

Trivia

 * In Italian, Pianta directly translates to plant.
 * Piantas are the only friendly species in Super Mario Galaxy 2 to not have a representative on Starship Mario.
 * Only male Piantas are playable in the Mario Baseball series.
 * A cyan Pianta near the fish market in episode seven of Ricco Harbor (Super Mario Sunshine) uses one of the voice clips reserved for Nokis. An orange Pianta next to the Pianta-shaped tree in Pinna Park does the same. This appears to be an oversight of the developers.