Bomb Flower

A Bomb Flower is a plant with an 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
The Bomb Flower first appears in Ocarina of Time, appearing exclusively on Death Mountain. Referred to 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. As a child, Bomb Flowers are too heavy for Link 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.

Bomb Flowers are found next to most doors and in hallways in Goron City. They are required to blow up the rocks blocking the warp to the Lost Woods. The Bomb Flowers are also seen growing in the Fire Temple, suggesting they can survive even volcanic temperatures, though it is not needed for them to survive.

Majora's Mask
The Bomb Flower makes a minor appearance in the Woodfall Temple and Snowhead Temple dungeons of Majora's Mask. It also appears as an obstacle during the Goron Races.

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 seem in either game.

In Oracle of Ages, the Bomb Flower appears 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 is brought back to the past age, where Link uses it to free the Goron Elder trapped under a heavy boulder. After the ordeal, the Gorons proceed to plant their newly acquired Bomb Flower 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 Oracle of Seasons, the Bomb Flower is used to blow a way into the Tower of Autumn. It is found in a remote area of Subrosia that can only be accessed with the Roc's Feather. 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.

The Wind Waker
Bomb Flowers in The Wind Waker 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. 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
The Bomb Flower in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks resembles the one seen in The Wind Waker, and continues 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 this game, a plant called the Bombling serves the same purpose, 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.

Although 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 Skyward Sword, 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. This line will show the path the bomb flower will take once thrown by Link. Bombs can also be picked up and stored for later in Link's inventory.

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.

Trivia

 * In Ocarina of Time, the "fuse" of the Bomb Flower is longer than that of a regular bomb, meaning there is a longer delay before 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.