- "It's a mobile plant. When it stops, its roots bore back into the ground. They're all over the place. I think it likes me."
- ―Mister Sulu
 | |
| Retlaw plant | |
| Type: | Plant life |
| Continuity: | Star Trek |
| Availability: | Common item |
| 1st appearance: | Star Trek: The Infinite Vulcan |
The Retlaw plant is a fictional plant featured featured in the Star Trek franchise. It appeared in episode 1.7 of the 1973-1974 Star Trek animated series entitled "The Infinite Vulcan".
Description[]
The Retlaw plant is a mobile, flowering plant native to the planet of Phylos. It has a green stalk and violet, flowering bristles. The plant can uproot itself and travel short distances and re-plant itself in fertile ground. The bristles of the Retlaw plant contain a powerful poison that can be lethal to humans if left untreated.
History[]
In the year 2269 on Stardate: 5554.4, the crew of the USS Enterprise touched down on the planet Phylos to examine the terrain. One of the landing party members, Ensign Hikaru Sulu, came too close to a Retnar plant and was poisoned by it. A Phylosian named Agmar was able to use his advanced medical acumen to save Sulu's life. Enterprise Chief Medical Officer Doctor Leonard McCoy was overwhelmed by the Phylosians medical capabilities. (ST: The Infinite Vulcan)
Notes & Trivia[]
- The Retlaw plant was also featured in the novelization of "The Infinite Vulcan", which was published as the third story in Star Trek: Log 2 by Alan Dean Foster.
- Hikaru Sulu reflected upon his experiences on Phylos and his near-fatal encounter with the Retnar plant in the novelization of "Once Upon a Planet", which was published as the first story in Star Trek: Log 3 by Alan Dean Foster.
- Retlaw is Walter spelled backwards. This is likely a reference to actor Walter Koenig, best known for playing the role of Ensign Pavel Chekov on Star Trek. Koenig also wrote the script for "The Infinite Vulcan".