Smilax

Smilax is a minor boss in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. It is a bud of the Megasmilax flower found in Bean Valley. When it is defeated, Valentina's Shy Away arrives and pours mineral water on the plant, causing it to grow two Smilaxes. This process is repeated to grow three Smilaxes and subsequently two Smilaxes and a mature Megasmilax. Smilax was most likely planted in the pipe by Shy Away at Valentina's request to act as a guardian of the entrance to Nimbus Land, as part of her larger plan to take over the kingdom.

Trivia

 * Smilax gets its name from a real-life plant of the same name. They are not similar beyond being red spheres, however.
 * The fact that Smilax can use the Flame and Drain attacks is an allusion to the Fire Piranha Plant, as is its habit of "looking" directly at Mario and company rather than facing straight up.

Smilax