Pokemon: Every Kind Of Mushroom Pokemon

Key Takeaways

• Dedicated players can focus on training specific types of Pokemon like mushroom-based ones in the vast universe.
• Mushroom Pokemon introduced by Game Freak include Paras, Shroomish, Foongus, and others with unique inspirations.
• New Generation 9 Pokemon like Toedscool, Toedscruel, and Brute Bonnet offer exciting variations for players in Scarlet & Violet.

Pokemon has existed for 28 years following the 1996 launch of the Game Boy titles in Japan. In that span, Game Freak has introduced nine generations of Pokemon from all walks of life. Their inspirations include animals, plant life, and even inanimate objects like a literal bag of garbage. There are over a thousand critters out there to catch, which is a daunting task.

That’s why some players have decided not to become Pokemon Masters but specific types of trainers instead. For example, a player could dedicate themselves to all types of dog or turtle Pokemon. Dedicated players could even become mushroom trainers if they wanted to, but just how many mushroom Pokemon are there in the series?

Updated October 21, 2024, by Ben Painter: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet brought gamers a host of new Pokemon in Generation 9. To the surprise of many fans, there were even more mushroom Pokemon added that the player could catch and battle with across the new land of Paldea. But not every one of these fungi-based ‘mons is available on the Nintendo Switch titles, and instead, players will need to venture into some of the older games in order to add a mushroom to their team. This article has been updated to include additional context for each mushroom Pokemon if players want to use them in their playthroughs.

13 Paras

A Bug Growing Parasitic Mushrooms

• Type: Bug/Grass
• Generation Introduced: 1
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Red & Blue
• Best Moves:
  • X-Scissor
  • Giga Drain
  • Slash
  • Spore

“Burrows under the ground to gnaw on tree roots. The mushrooms on its back absorb most of the nutrition.”

In Gen 1, Paras (#046 in the Dex) became the first mushroom creature introduced in the Pokemon universe. It is categorized as a Bug/Grass type, which makes sense since it mostly resembles a bug. However, its past is pretty dark if one reads into it. For example, its Pokedex entry from Pokemon Ruby states that the mushrooms on its back are parasitic, drawing nutrients from the host.

Though the parasite aspect is grim, the entry also states that these mushrooms have medicinal properties. Fans can see this in episode 41 of the anime “The Problem with Paras.”

Paras’ Base Stats:

Paras’ Game Locations:

12 Parasect

Taken Over By Parasites

• Type: Bug/Grass
• Generation Introduced: 1
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Red & Blue
• Best Moves:
  • X-Scissor
  • Giga Drain
  • Slash
  • Spore

“The bug host is controlled by the mushrooms that scatter poisonous spores. The spores are sometimes used as medicine in China.”

Paras’ (#47) evolved form has become more mushroom than. The Pokedex entries discuss how the parasites fully take over the host (sounds like The Last of Us). Parasites aside, there are actually two Pokedex entries worth discussing for two other reasons.

Its entry in Pokemon FireRed states that its spores are used as herbal medicine in China—it’s interesting to see an entry mention a real-world location. Meanwhile, Pokemon Sun states that Parasect fights over territory with Shiinotic. Not many Pokedex entries explore rival Pokemon battles, although it is also not unheard of.

Parasect’s Base Stats:

Parasect’s Game Locations:

11 Gloom

The Aromatic Plant

• Type: Grass/Poison
• Generation Introduced: 1
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Red & Blue
• Best Moves:
  • Petal Dance
  • Moonblast
  • Toxic
  • Grassy Terrain

“The horrible-smelling pistil of this flower stinks over a mile away. Unwittingly inhaled, it can cause fainting.”

While it’s more straight-up plant than mushroom, there are certainly ample spore-like qualities to this somber, drooling creature. Gloom (#44) stands as a significant evolution from the smaller, simpler Oddish while keeping with the Grass/Poison type of its predecessor.

This large growth of a Pokemon is paradoxically well known for its powers in poison, as it is in perfume-making, thanks to its Stench ability, which can take on various forms. Opponents are often fooled by its seemingly unthreatening, colorful nature before being blindsided by potent moves like Petal Dance.

Gloom’s Base Stats:

Gloom’s Game Locations:

10 Vileplume

Gloom In Full Bloom

• Type: Grass/Poison
• Generation Introduced: 1
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Red & Blue
• Best Moves:
  • Petal Blizzard
  • Moonblast
  • Toxic
  • Growth

“The larger its petals, the more toxic pollen it contains. Its big head is heavy and hard to hold up.”

One of the strongest Grass types from the first generation, Vileplume (#045) can overwhelm opponents with its large size and toxic pollen, which yield various negative effects. This Pokemon is said to have among the largest petals in the world, which are so heavy that the creature can barely support them atop its head.

Vileplume evolves when exposed to a Leaf Stone, while its more whimsical, well-dressed sibling, Bellossom, evolves from a Sun Stone. With its damage-over-time poison and its ability to learn potent Grass/Poison moves, Vileplume can be a true force of nature.

Vileplume’s Base Stats:

Vileplume’s Game Locations:

9 Shroomish

A Strange Little Spore

• Type: Grass
• Generation Introduced: 3
• Game Introduced: Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire
• Best Moves:
  • Toxic
  • Spore
  • Giga Drain
  • Leech Seed

“Shroomish live in damp soil in the dark depths of forests. They are often found keeping still under fallen leaves. This Pokemon feeds on compost that is made up of fallen, rotted leaves.”

Mushrooms were skipped in the next generation of games but returned in the third via Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire. Sadly, Game Freak’s next fungal Pokemon was a bit disappointing to many fans.

A pure Grass-type, Shroomish (#285) tends to resemble a spore more than a mushroom. Its unique appearance doesn’t exactly give it the air of either a cute or crazy Pokemon. Additionally, its various Pokedex entries don’t have anything truly fun to discuss other than it loving compost as food. However, its evolved form is worth investing time into in the games.

Shroomish’s Base Stats:

Shroomish’s Game Locations:

8 Breloom

A Mushroom That Packs A Punch

• Type: Grass/Fighting
• Generation Introduced: 3
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire
• Best Moves:
  • Brick Break
  • Spore
  • Giga Drain
  • Leech Seed

“Breloom closes in on its foe with light and sprightly footwork, then throws punches with its stretchy arms. This Pokemon’s fighting technique puts boxers to shame.”

Breloom (#286) is the evolved form of Shroomish and an intensely more interesting Pokemon to discuss. Firstly, it is now classified as a more potent Grass/Fighting type. Despite how tiny those arms look, as if they’re from a T. rex, they actually stretch out.

Its Pokemon Ruby Pokedex entry demonstrates just how strong this creature is, saying that the Pokemon’s fighting “puts boxers to shame.” That should go without saying; it is a magical monster, after all. How and why such powerful Pokemon obeys the commands of humans is one of the most bizarre things about the series.

Breloom’s Base Stats:

Breloom’s Game Locations:

7 Foongus

Adorable But Strangely Designed

• Type: Grass/Poison
• Generation Introduced: 5
• Game Introduced: Pokemon Black & White
• Best Moves:
  • Toxic
  • Giga Drain
  • Synthesis
  • Clear Smog

“For some reason, this Pokemon resembles a Poke Ball. They release poison spores to repel those who try to catch them.”

Another generation was skipped before a new crop of mushroom creatures sprung up via Pokemon Black/White. Foongus (#590) more resembles a traditional mushroom, not unlike one Mario might eat for firepower. The only exceptions are its pig-like face and the Poke Ball insignia on its top, adding some much-needed distinction to its appearance.

Even the Pokemon Black Pokedex has no idea what this Grass/Poison type is thinking, stating that it is unknown why this species resembles a Poke Ball. Surely, the lore behind this oddball must be interesting if only it was known.

Foongus’ Base Stats:

Foongus’ Game Locations:

6 Amoonguss

Ineffectively Camouflaged

• Type: Grass/Poison
• Generation Introduced: 5
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Black & White
• Best Moves:
  • Toxic
  • Solar Beam
  • Synthesis
  • Clear Smog

“This Pokemon puffs poisonous spores at its foes. If the spores aren’t washed off quickly, they’ll grow into mushrooms wherever they land.”

This is the evolved form of Foongus, though that’s obvious from its similar design. The only real addition is the bigger size and arms, which also look like Poke Balls now.

Pokemon White’s Pokedex claims that Amoonguss (#591) shows off its Poke Ball designs to attract prey, but this doesn’t often work. This seems like an odd statement – what Pokemon wants to be captured? If this Pokemon wants to attract others, one would think it’d opt to use the antithesis of a Poke Ball design—whatever that might be.

Amoonguss’ Base Stats:

Amoonguss’ Game Locations:

5 Morelull

Equal Parts Cute & Creepy

• Type: Grass/Fairy
• Generation Introduced: 7
• Game Introduced: Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Best Moves:
  • Giga Drain
  • Moonblast
  • Spore
  • Dream Eater

”
It scatters its shining spores around itself. Even though they’re dangerous, nighttime tours of forests where Morelull live are popular.”

A set of mushroom critters were introduced in Pokemon Sun/Moon on 3DS. Morelull (#755) is a Grass/Fairy type. It’s a bit unsettling to look at, appearing to be some sort of luminous skull with mushrooms growing off of it.

The Pokemon Sword entry claims that forest-dwelling Pokemon eat the caps on Morelull’s head, which regrow overnight. The big question is, does that hurt Morelull? Either way, it is a bit creepy. At least this creature isn’t as unsettling as the Farfetch’d Pokedex entries, which discuss it going extinct because people are catching it to eat.

Morelull’s Base Stats:

Morelull’s Game Locations:

4 Shiinotic

Sweet But Slightly Menacing

• Type: Grass/Fairy
• Generation Introduced: 7
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Best Moves:
  • Giga Drain
  • Moonblast
  • Spore
  • Dream Eater

“Forests where Shiinotic live are treacherous to enter at night. People confused by its strange lights can never find their way home again.”

The evolved form of Morelull looks a bit like the skeleton or withered body of Toad from the Mario franchise. This mushroom Pokemon also appears to have a mushroom hat and diaper. Shiinotic (#756) also resembles the archetypical gray alien, which is a likely inspiration for this Pokemon.

It looks haunting, like something out of a ghost story. Just imagine these Pokemon and Parasect fighting each other before trying to go to sleep and prepare for the nightmares.

Shiinotic’s Base Stats:

Shiinotic’s Game Locations:

3 Toedscool

A Tentacool Reskin?

• Type: Ground/Grass
• Generation Introduced: 9
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
• Best Moves:
  • Earth Power
  • Power Whip
  • Spore
  • Growth

“Though it looks like Tentacool, Toedscool is a completely different species. Its legs may be thin, but it can run at a speed of 30 mph.”

Introduced in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, Toedscool (#1006 in the national Dex) is a toadstool Pokemon with a pink body and yellow spots, somewhat resembling a recolored fly agaric mushroom. It also very strongly resembles the Pokemon Tentacool, a Gen 1 Pokemon based on a jellyfish.

The Pokedex entry addresses this, but it has sparked some controversy about the ‘lazy’ design of the Pokemon. Whether it’s lazy work or smart world-building, Toedscool is completely biologically unrelated to Tentacool. Instead of tentacles, the long legs are meant to resemble mycelium, the long roots of a mushroom.

Toedscool’s Base Stats:

Toedscool’s Game Locations:

2 Toedscruel

Tentacruel’s Long-Lost Cousin

• Type: Ground/Grass
• Generation Introduced: 9
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
• Best Moves:
  • Earth Power
  • Power Whip
  • Spore
  • Growth

“It coils its 10 tentacles around prey and sucks out their nutrients, causing the prey pain. The folds along the rim of its head are a popular delicacy.”

As the evolution of Toedscool, Toedscruel (#1007 in the national Dex) follows the same evolutionary pattern as Tentacool, meaning it strongly resembles a Tentacruel.

Toedscruel and Toedscool are also the only known Pokemon with the ability Mycelium Might, an ability introduced in Gen 9 that has the following effect: The Pokemon will always act more slowly when using status moves, but these moves will be unimpeded by the target’s Ability.'” This is one of several new abilities added in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.

Toedscruel’s Base Stats:

Toedscruel’s Game Locations:

1 Brute Bonnet

The Paradox Pokemon

• Type: Grass/Dark
• Generation Introduced: 9
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Scarlet
• Best Moves:
  • Sunny Day
  • Sucker Punch
  • Solar Beam
  • Synthesis

“It bears a slight resemblance to a Pokemon described in a dubious magazine as a cross between a dinosaur and a mushroom.”

Brute Bonnet is a Paradox Pokemon – a type of Pokemon introduced in Gen 9 as ancient/future versions of pre-existing Pokemon. This Pokemon, in particular, is an ancient form of Amoonguss, a Gen 5 mushroom Pokemon with a far less exaggerated appearance.

This Paradox Pokemon is a Grass/Dark type and a powerful and savage fighter. It can be found in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet‘s Area Zero, a late-game location that contains each game’s Paradox Pokemon.

Brute Bonnet’s Base Stats:

Brute Bonnet’s Game Locations: