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 tress growing out of the top of their heads, indicating that they may have evolved from tropical plants. Typically, Piantas wear grass skirts or grass dresses. Piantas are generally laid back and friendly. Beyond 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. Mario can sometimes use this to his advantage by having a Pianta toss him to high ledges and cliffs.

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 lead by Ishnail, who operate on the east side.

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

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.

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 at the Olympic Games
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 Galaxy 2
Piantas appear in Super Mario Galaxy 2 in at least 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.

On a side note, all the Piantas in this game are male, but not even one of them has any facial hair.

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.