The first Pokemon in the National Dex order, Bulbsaur is a very interesting creature It is both a Grass-type and a Poison-type, but other than the growth on its back, there are no overwhelmingly plant-like characteristics.

Most experts believe this is because of a symbiotic relationship that began millenia ago. A common theory is that Bulbasaur was initially a Normal-type, or perhaps even a Water-type, that took to the land and became amphibious. The skin of the Pokemon was, and still is, very porous, allowing various seeds to grow on its back. Of these, the bulbous flower on its back seemed to take best, eventually becoming extinct elsewhere and forming a bond with the Pokemon.

Obviously a flower, the plant has a variety of uses. First and foremost, it's used to store energy from the sun. This energy can be used in a variety of ways, as a weapon, for attacks such as Solar Beam, as food, to nourish the Pokemon, or even as spores. These spores are used in another way; by Venusaur, to choose mates. Each pattern on a Venusaur's back is unique, as are the spores released through all evolutionary stages, in a way humans do not fully understand. Of course, the bulb and flower both hold a very important item as well - seeds.

At some point, the area where eggs are held in a Bulbasaur moved from inside the body to inside the plant on its back, changing into seeds. Many can be found here - most small and useless. But when a male Bulbsaur-family member releases its pollen, it will find its way to the seeds and fertilize them, similar to mammilian procreation. This is evident in a Venusaur - a seed can be found in the center of the flower, ready to grow into a baby Bulbasaur. Strangely enough, it seems that the Pokemon can also breed with non-Plant-based equals, such as Rhydon and Tyranitar, showing that it still has traditional child-rearing organs.

As for habitat, it is thought that, before gaining a symbiotic plant, the Pokemon lived in swamps. Bulbasaur waded through the water, eating prey and soaking its skin, as did Ivysaur, while Venusaur simply submerged itself, mouth open, and waited for food to swim down its throat. Many fossils have been found of starved Venusaur, too bulky to actively hunt, that died waiting for food.

However, now that they have a plant to gather energy, hunting is unecessary. Some still do eat smaller Pokemon, but unless found in a place where sunlight is impossible to gather, this is rare. Due to this, it is unknown where Bulbasaur family Pokemon live. They are adept at camoflague, and few ever reach the final stage, meaning that any forest could contain untold amounts of Bulbasaur and Ivysaur. Just as well, they are solitary creatures, other than for mating, making it hard to find more than one in a single place.

It is unknown just how many Bulbasaur are in the wild, but many are used as Starter Pokemon, primarily in the Kanto region. They are very independant, but also fiercely loyal, making them perfect for unexperienced trainers. They can also be bred with both of the other Starter Pokemon given out, Blastoise and Charizard, meaning that a single Venusaur could lay untold amounts of eggs.

The Bulbasaur family is an amazing example of harmony in nature - two completely unlike organisms, working so closely that they're indistinguishable from one another. I'm Johnny One-Three-Nine; join me again next time for another edition of PSA - Pokemon Scientific Analysis!