The “Seymour plant” refers to Audrey II, the iconic, carnivorous plant from the musical and film Little Shop of Horrors. This botanical creation is central to the story, serving as a source of success and a growing threat for the protagonist, Seymour Krelborn. Its origins trace back to the 1960 B-movie The Little Shop of Horrors, later adapted into a popular stage musical in 1982 by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken.
The Fictional Plant: Audrey II
Audrey II is depicted as an extraterrestrial being, initially appearing as a small, unassuming seedling. Seymour, a timid floral shop assistant, discovers it after a solar eclipse and brings it to the Skid Row flower shop. The plant, named Audrey II after his co-worker and love interest, quickly grows, but only when given a specific, unsettling form of nourishment. As it matures, Audrey II transforms from a tiny plant into a large, sentient, and menacing entity, capable of speaking and singing. Its appearance evolves from a sprout to a formidable, vibrant green monster with an avocado-like shape, sharp teeth, and a demanding personality.
Audrey II’s Unique “Diet” and Growth
Audrey II’s growth is directly tied to its insatiable diet: fresh human blood. Initially, Seymour provides his own blood, which causes the plant to grow rapidly, attracting customers to the struggling flower shop. As Audrey II increases in size, its demands escalate from blood to entire human bodies, which it consumes with a voracious appetite. The plant becomes manipulative, using promises of fame, fortune, and love to coerce Seymour into providing more victims. This feeding habit leads to Audrey II’s expansion and its ultimate goal of global domination.
Real-World Carnivorous Plants: The Inspiration
While Audrey II is a fantastical creation, it draws loose inspiration from real-world carnivorous plants. These plants, such as the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), pitcher plants (Nepenthes, Sarracenia), and sundews (Drosera), capture and digest insects or small animals to supplement nutrients lacking in their native soil environments. Venus flytraps use hinged leaves that snap shut to trap prey, while pitcher plants lure insects into a deep cavity filled with digestive liquid. Sundews employ sticky mucilage on their leaves to ensnare prey.
These real plants obtain energy through photosynthesis, like other plants, but gain essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from their prey. However, they differ significantly from Audrey II; they do not consume human blood, possess sentience, speak, or exhibit the rapid growth seen in the fictional plant. Their digestive processes are chemical, not involving chewing or swallowing as Audrey II does.
The Cultural Legacy of the “Seymour Plant”
The “Seymour plant,” Audrey II, is an iconic figure in popular culture. Its memorable appearance and distinctive voice make it instantly recognizable. Beyond the original musical and film, Audrey II appears in various forms of media, including parodies, merchandise, and pop culture references. Its portrayal often highlights themes of ambition, temptation, and the consequences of unchecked desires. Audrey II’s appeal lies in its blend of horror, dark humor, and its status as a compelling villain.