Baby Groot Is Not the Only Famous Plant!

If you've seen Guardians of the Galaxy — or if you've been an active denizen of the Internet community for the past few days — then you know that there's one adorable character who totally steals the scene for the minute or so that he (she? it?) is in the movie. That character is the dancing Baby Groot, the tiny spawn of Groot who evolves from a branch that Rocket Raccoon places in a pot. The moment when the teeny plant busts a move is so adorable, that the Internet has been rousing for GIFs to re-live its delightfulness. But it doesn't stop at GIFs; Baby Groot has become so popular that fans have been rallying for ways to get their own dancing Baby Groots! (C'mon, Marvel — it's merchandise gold.) All of this popularity and attention... for a plant. Seems crazy, doesn't it?

Actually, it's not that crazy. You may not know it, but Baby Groot is not the first plant to chew up the movie that it's in. In fact, plants have a long history of stealing scenes in film. You can attribute this to pure science — plants are cool — but anytime you have a moving, talking, singing plant next to a human, well, the plant is gonna win.

So let's take a look back in time at some flora that paved the way for Baby Groot. If this doesn't revive your interest in botany, then I don't know what will.

Audrey II, Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Audrey II might be the most famous plant in all of cinematic history. She bellows "feed me," sings, and eats humans. Audrey II thrives on human blood, and lures her nebbishy caretaker, Seymour, into feeding people to her by promising him fame and money. Yes — a plant does all of that.

The Tomatoes, Attack of The Killer Tomatoes (1978)

When tomatoes are your antagonists, you know who the real stars of the movie are.

Grandmother Willow, Pocahontas (1995)

Another singing plant! And also — who needs a guidance counselor when you have a freakin' willow tree to help you solve your problems. Granted, "Listen with Your Heart" is pretty generic advice, but c'mon. You can't get a much more badass grandma than that.

The Peach, James And The Giant Peach (1996)

It's really about the peach. You know it. The peach's mere existence makes it the star of the movie. Peaches be rulin' this movie.

The Beautiful Plants, Finding Nemo (2003)

As Dory and Nemo go on their respective journeys, we're all privy to the gorgeous reefs and beautiful sea plants in their habitat. LOVELY. Scene-stealing, I tell you. Scene. Stealing.

The Trees in The Forest, The Wizard of Oz (1939)

You do not fuck around with these trees. The Scarecrow and Dorothy learned the hard way, but these apple-throwing trees were scary, serious, and totally scene-stealing.

See? Plants have been more than just background scenery for years. But one thing is for certain: Baby Groot is by far the most adorable scene-stealing plant. I mean, just look at it go.

Clearly, the future of cinema needs more plants.

Images: Pixar; variablecosplay/Tumblr