Bomb Flower

A Bomb Flower is a type of plant with explosive fruit that serves as a substitute for Bombs in several games of The Legend of Zelda series.

In most games, the fruit of the Bomb Flower will explode after a short time once picked from the plant. Just like bombs, they flash red when near the point of detonation. Bomb Flower fruits detonate automatically in the presence of fire or when caught in an explosion (which may cause a chain reaction should there be other Bomb Flowers nearby). Slashing it with Link's sword or piercing it with an arrow causes a delayed explosion, much like when it is picked from the plant.

Earlier versions of the Bomb Flower are sensitive to light, and only grow in darker places. In later reincarnations, Bomb Flowers seem to have become more tolerant of sunlight, as they are more common throughout the world. In certain appearances, Bomb Flowers are considered a special token of the Gorons, who tend the flowers in the mountainous region in which they appear.

Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask
Bomb Flowers first appear in, appearing exclusively on Death Mountain. Referred to by the Gorons as their "special crop", Bomb Flowers are said to be "mining plants", and the fruit of the flower is the raw material for regular Bombs. When Link is a child, Bomb Flowers are too heavy for him to lift without the aid of the Goron Bracelet. Although very rare on the mountain itself, Bomb Flowers grow wildly within Dodongo's Cavern, as the warmth and dim lighting presents ideal conditions for their growth. Therefore, it causes some distress among the Gorons when Dodongo's Cavern becomes infested with "ancient creatures", the Dodongo, making the caverns a dangerous place and affecting the Goron's Bomb Flower harvest. Above the entrance to the cavern, near Goron City, stands a lone Bomb Flower, and a Goron devotedly protecting this rare flower from the sun. With the Goron Bracelet, young Link is able to throw the fruit of the Bomb Flower down to the entrance of Dodongo's Cavern, which has been blockaded by boulders. The bomb will destroy the boulders, allowing Link to enter.

Additionally, Bomb Flowers can be found next to most doors and in hallways in Goron City, where they are required to blow up the rocks blocking the warp to the Lost Woods. They are also seen growing in the Fire Temple, suggesting they can even survive in volcanic temperatures.

In, Bomb Flowers act in exactly the same way as in Ocarina of Time, except Link no longer requires the Goron Bracelet to pick them up. They make a minor appearance in the Woodfall Temple and Snowhead Temple, where they can be used to solve puzzles if Link hasn't obtained the Bomb Bag or Blast Mask. They can also be used as a way to stun Odolwa, as well as distract and kill the moths that he sends after Link. In the Goron Races, Bomb Flowers appear as obstacles, and will explode if Goron Link makes contact with them, slowing him down.

Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons
Bomb Flowers appear once again in the Oracle Series, and are important to each of the games' plots. However, in the Oracle series, they are portrayed as much larger, powerful bombs reminiscent of Powder Kegs. Although Bomb Flowers are mentioned to grow in abundance in the areas in which they appear, only one is seen in either game. It is also said that they take a long time to grow, unlike in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask where they grew back almost instantly.

In, Bomb Flowers appear once again as the pride of the Goron people, who live on Rolling Ridge. However, in the events of Oracle of Ages, the Great Moblin builds his keep on Rolling Ridge and hoards the Goron's Bomb Flowers. Infiltrating the fortress, defeating the Great Moblin and subsequently destroying his keep allows the Gorons to grow their famous Bomb Flowers freely once again. As thanks for his help, the Gorons give Link a Bomb Flower of his very own. This single Bomb Flower must be brought back to the past age, where Link uses it to free the Goron Elder from under a heavy boulder. After the ordeal, the Gorons proceed to plant their newly acquired Bomb Flowers all across Rolling Ridge. Due to Link introducing the Bomb Flower to the Goron race earlier than the natural course of time intended, in the present age, Link is credited with bringing the Bomb Flower to the Gorons.

In, a Bomb Flower is sought after by the Subrosian Smelter, who wishes to blow up a rock blocking the path to the Tower of Autumn in order to obtain some ore. Although many Bomb Flowers are said to grow in Subrosia (again reflecting on the flower's ability to survive at volcanic temperatures), all the other Bomb Flowers are not yet in bloom. It can be found in a portion of Lava Lake in the south that can only be accessed with the Roc's Feather.

The Wind Waker
Bomb Flowers in seem to be more common than in past appearances and no longer require shaded areas to grow. They can be found on several islands, most notably on Dragon Roost Island, where they are said to act as a dangerous obstacle to the Rito. . Particular withered Bomb Flowers can be found within the Dragon Roost Pond, and need to be watered (using a bottle filled with water from the pond) to grow into usable bombs.

Four Swords Adventures
Bomb Flowers are common items in. They serve as a substitute for regular Bombs when these cannot be obtained until later on in the level. Stages with Bomb Flowers include: Hyrule Castle, Eastern Temple, Death Mountain Foothills, The Mountain Path, The Swamp, Temple of Darkness, Desert of Doubt, Frozen Hyrule, Temple of Ice, and Palace of Winds.

Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks
Bomb Flowers in and  resemble the ones seen in The Wind Waker, and continue to serve as early substitutes for bombs. Bomb Flowers in these games are seemingly more fragile, as, unlike past appearances, they automatically detonate on contact with a sword or an arrow, something which would have previously triggered a delayed reaction.

A particular type of Bomb Flower appears in the Battle Mode in Spirit Tracks. This Bomb Flower permanently flashes red and will only explode once thrown.

Twilight Princess
Although Bomb Flowers are not present in, a plant called the Bombling serves the same purpose, being an early substitute for bombs. They can later be bought in markets to be used anywhere. Bomblings, given their mobility, also serve as a replacement for Bombchus.

While Bomb Flowers do not actually appear in Twilight Princess, they can be found and interacted with in-game through hacking. They make a strange metallic sound when they explode. A video showing the beta bomb flower can be seen here.

Skyward Sword
In SS undefined, Bomb Flowers appears somewhat smaller than in their past appearances. Also, when Link picks one up, a line will appear from the bomb, and then curve to the floor, showing the path the bomb flower will take once thrown by Link. Bomb Flowers can also be picked up and stored for later in Link's inventory once he has obtained the Bomb Bag, essentially becoming Bombs. They are very common and grow all throughout The Surface, being able to survive in extreme environments such as Lanayru Desert.

The Bomb Flowers used on the Groosenator are about three times the size of the common variety. These special Bomb Flowers can be found in a small alcove next to the track, which can be accessed until the third fight with The Imprisoned. They can be picked up and thrown, but not stored.

A Link Between Worlds
In, a Bomb Flower can be borrowed from the Bomb Flower Store in southwest Lorule for 200 Rupees, and is necessary to access the Swamp Palace. It will automatically follow Link around, unless he prompts it to stop, which can be done by facing it and pressing the A button. Link can get it to explode by hitting it with any one of his weapons, but it will also detonate if it is hit by any enemies. If this happens, Link can simply return to the Bomb Flower Store to find that it has regrown, and take it again for free. If Link can successfully manage to lead it to the Swamp Palace, he can use it to destroy the large boulder blocking its entrance, draining the hallways of water and granting him full access to the dungeon.

Trivia

 * In, the "fuse" of the Bomb Flower is longer than that of a regular bomb, meaning there is a longer delay before the explosion.
 * Bomb Flowers also have another additional, and perhaps lesser known, use. In Ocarina of Time, their fibers are claimed to be one of two materials from which Goron Tunics are made, the other being Dodongo scales, in order for them to be heat-resistant.