When I found this alien flower, she was blooming all alone

tangled through vines wrapped around a rusty iron fence.

Nature has a mysterious way of guiding us.

We must be open to her teachings

in: Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare

"Alien Flower: A Unique Sunflower Variant with Splash Damage Abilities

The Alien Flower sets itself apart from other Sunflowers by delivering splash damage, a trait shared only with Toxic Citron. This unique characteristic makes the Alien Flower an ideal choice for players who prefer supporting their teammates in securing vanquishes rather than solely focusing on eliminating enemies.

The Alien Flower's splash damage operates in a manner that offers valuable assistance to allied plants. Even during brief pauses in their offensive actions, the spores fired by the Alien Flower continue to inflict damage, providing a buffer for fellow plants and lightening their load in battles against zombies."

"Alien Flower: A Tactical Support Plant with Splash Damage Abilities

The Alien Flower's unique splash damage capability makes it a valuable asset when providing assistance to other plants. Even during brief pauses in their offensive actions, the spores fired by the Alien Flower continue to inflict damage, easing the burden on allied plants.

In the Gardens & Graveyards game mode, the Alien Flower excels at bombarding zombies with spores, rapidly damaging multiple targets in a wide area. This strategic advantage can be particularly effective when zombies are engaged in combat with other plants, allowing you to diminish the threat posed by group-rushing zombies. Since your teammates are responsible for vanquishing, your presence and position are less likely to be revealed by the post-vanquish "death cam."

Additionally, the Alien Flower can provide valuable healing support to teammates after intense battles. In G&G, this plant shines at harassing or vanquishing multiple zombies occupying a garden, even from a distance. With precise aim, an accurate Alien Flower can single-handedly defend a garden, proving highly effective when zombie numbers are low.

In Garden Ops, the Alien Flower remains a potent ally. Her spores can significantly damage groups of Spawnable Zombies, bypassing the armor of tough adversaries like Coffin Zombies, Outhouse Zombies, and Barrel Pirates. Even zombies wielding shields, such as Screen Door Zombies and Newspaper Zombies, are no match for the Alien Flower, as her spores bypass shields, dealing damage to both the shield and its user.

Against non-armored but resilient zombies like Buckethead Zombies, it's advisable to have backup from Peashooters or Chompers, as the Alien Flower's direct hit damage is comparatively lower. When faced with a swarm of zombies and the need to retreat, the Alien Flower can still contribute by shooting the ground while moving away. The trailing spores may vanquish pursuing zombies or create enough distance for a tactical reengagement.

For additional firepower, consider using the Dark Flower ability in conjunction with the Alien Flower. While the Alien Flower's direct hit damage is moderate, the Dark Flower complements it by providing continuous damage output. However, it's essential to have another Sunflower nearby to ensure healing support, as the Alien Flower cannot self-heal when using the Dark Flower."

"Facing the Alien Flower: Strategies and Tactics

Alien Flower Digital Illustration by Saliha — ART BY SALIHA

Underestimating the Alien Flower is a mistake you don't want to make. Her attacks and spores can unleash significant damage, and she becomes especially challenging to deal with in confined spaces and tight corridors. Employ similar strategies as you would when facing a Peashooter, but exercise caution around her spores. These spores have a wider area of effect than the splash damage from peas, and they can inflict additional light damage, potentially resulting in your vanquish.

Swiftly vanquishing the Alien Flower is strongly advised, primarily because her spores can become a considerable nuisance when engaging other plants simultaneously. With their expansive range, Alien Flower can disrupt and weaken a group rush, dealing incremental damage to the entire group. This can significantly aid her allies in securing eliminations. What's more, once the opposition is scattered and defeated, the Alien Flower can shift her focus to healing her teammates, ensuring they are prepared with full health when the next assault begins.

The Alien Flower reaches her peak effectiveness when she seizes the opportunity to attack from an elevated vantage point while you are engaged in combat with other plants. In this scenario, her spores can deliver additional damage without causing any status effects, allowing them to go unnoticed amidst the chaos of the battle. Vigilance and swift action are key when facing the formidable Alien Flower."

Passionflower: Uses and Historical Significance

Alien Flower Digital Illustration — ART BY SALIHA

Passionflower, scientifically known as Passiflora incarnata, has a diverse range of applications in traditional and herbal medicine. This plant is commonly utilized for addressing various health concerns, including:

1. **Sleep Disorders:** Passionflower is often employed to alleviate sleeping problems, particularly insomnia. Its calming effects can promote better sleep quality.

2. **Gastrointestinal Upset:** It is used to ease gastrointestinal discomfort associated with anxiety or nervousness.

3. **Anxiety Disorders:** Passionflower may provide relief for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and help manage symptoms related to anxiety.

4. **Narcotic Drug Withdrawal:** It has been used to mitigate symptoms associated with narcotic drug withdrawal.

5. **Seizures:** Passionflower has historical use in addressing seizures and hysteria.

6. **Respiratory Conditions:** It is utilized for managing asthma symptoms.

7. **Menopausal Symptoms:** Some individuals turn to passionflower to alleviate symptoms of menopause.

8. **Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):** It may help manage symptoms of ADHD, such as nervousness and excitability.

9. **Cardiovascular Health:** Passionflower is associated with benefits like managing palpitations, irregular heartbeat, and high blood pressure.

10. **Fibromyalgia and Pain Relief:** It has been used to provide relief in cases of fibromyalgia and general pain management.

In addition to its medicinal applications, passionflower extract is used as a flavoring agent in various foods and beverages. This plant has a rich history dating back to 1569 when Spanish explorers first discovered it in Peru. They interpreted the flower's intricate structure as a symbol of Christ's passion and a sign of approval for their explorations.

Passionflower is often combined with other herbs like German chamomile, hops, kava, skullcap, and valerian to create herbal products that promote calmness and relaxation. Notably, passionflower was once available as an over-the-counter sedative and sleep aid in the United States. However, it was withdrawn from the market in 1978 due to the need for further safety and effectiveness evaluation. Nevertheless, passionflower may still be found as a standalone remedy or as part of combination herbal products, offering potential benefits to those seeking natural solutions for various health concerns."

How does it work?

The chemicals in passionflower have calming, sleep inducing, and muscle spasm relieving effects.