Killer Broccoli

Item #: Killer Broccoli

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: All instances of Killer Broccoli are to be kept in the Site 16 greenhouse and watered regularly. Seeds and pollen from Killer Broccoli are not to be released into the wild. No instances of Killer Broccoli are to be released for commercial trade, given as gifts, used as props, used as bribes, or stored in personnel offices. Personnel are advised to not look at Killer Broccoli for extended periods of time.

Addendum 621-3: Personnel are advised not to look at Killer Broccoli through sunglasses, which has recently been shown to increase Killer Broccoli's mental effects. Only unfiltered lab goggles may be worn around Killer Broccoli. It should be of additional note that unfiltered lab goggles, lab glass, or other transparent obstructions will not shield Killer Broccoli's effects.

Any instances of Killer Broccoli found in the wild are to be exterminated immediately. Any instances of Killer Broccoli found in public are to be confiscated and whoever in possession at the time be taken in for questioning. Civilians actively watering Killer Broccoli in the wild are to be detained and the instances of Killer Broccoli to be confiscated. Be warned that some may use physical force in order to protect Killer Broccoli.

Cross-pollination of Killer Broccoli species will require clearance from Command-level Personnel. No cross-pollinations may be done for personal reasons.

Description: Killer Broccoli is a series of highly invasive flowering plants, originally released by ██████ & █████ Flower Shop, that have been in the Foundation's possession as of █/██/0█. These plants, mainly the plant species Didier’s tulips (Tulipa gesneriana), are naturally bioluminescent, powered by water and other nutrients. These plants glow a variety of colors, though most instances glow purple, blue, or green. This bioluminescent effect can be best seen at night or in a dark area. The effect is only active while the plants are alive.

Killer Broccoli, particularly its glow, seems to have a hypnotizing effect on humans, with numerous requests by personnel to store them in their personal offices, all of which have been denied. Killer Broccoli has varying effects on other animals. When exposed to bees, hummingbirds, or cross-pollinating animals, all of the animals subjected have preferred spreading the pollen of Killer Broccoli as opposed to other flowering plants, and due to its bioluminescence, are capable of doing this at night, increasing its rate of reproduction. However, when exposed to herbivores, such as deer or rabbits, all of subjected animals have actively avoided Killer Broccoli. With a high fertility rate, a natural defense against predators, and a hypnotizing effect on humans, Killer Broccoli can be deemed a highly effective invasive species.

Addendum 621-4: Upon further testing, Killer Broccoli's pollen gives off a strong and pleasant aroma. Killer Broccoli is completely hypoallergenic, and when personnel with allergies are exposed to up to five (5.0) grams of Killer Broccoli's pollen, personnel displayed no allergic reactions.

When placed around other plants, Killer Broccoli supersedes the nutrients provided to other plants in order to fuel its bioluminescence. As a result, Killer Broccoli quickly drains the soil of nutrients and requires more water than all other plants in the Site 16 greenhouse. Before being actively monitored by the Foundation, Killer Broccoli had uprooted multiple farming pastures, but because of its hypnotic qualities, nothing had been done to stop them. In addition, sympathizers actively watered the invading plants during their incursions.

Although government agencies such as the USDA and EPA protect against these sorts of invasive species, said agencies have actively defended Killer Broccoli at the expense of commercial farmers. It may be of note that these farmers have since accepted the situation, citing Killer Broccoli's aesthetic superiority to their own crops and their desire to protect Killer Broccoli. The Foundation stepped in when Killer Broccoli began invading ███████████ National Wildlife Preserve, threatening several instances of both endangered plants and animals. The EPA refused to hinder the spread of Killer Broccoli, despite the existential risk to plants and animals, on the grounds that it would have made the ███████████ National Wildlife Preserve more aesthetically pleasing.

Although Didier’s tulips (Tulipa gesneriana) are the most common type of Killer Broccoli, there also exist species of Killer Broccoli that include other types of tulips, roses (Rosa spp.), and a few instances of lettuce (Lactuca spp.) as a result of cross-pollination. However, no D-Class personnel could bring themselves to eat Killer Broccoli, worried about possible side-effects. When force-fed, Killer Broccoli induces intense anxiety and paranoia on the subject, but no other side-effects. This anxiety dissipates upon digestion. This effect has been seen on multiple test subjects.

Addendum 621-1: In light of the recent events involving Dr. Z████████ hoarding several instances of Killer Broccoli in his personal office, all personnel on Site 16 are allowed to keep at least one instance of Killer Broccoli in their offices.

Addendum 621-2: In light of Dr. Z████████’s public apology for hoarding several instances of Killer Broccoli in his personal office, personnel are no longer allowed to keep any instances of Killer Broccoli in their offices.

''Note: To everyone asking me to ask the administration to release Killer Broccoli to the public: this is the very reason we're keeping Killer Broccoli here. I don't care if it looks cool or if I had a few in my office for a while. I know first-hand that this thing has some kind of hypnotizing effect on people, and something is telling me this plant has possibly evolved for that very purpose. If our own government agencies won't stop these things, we will. -Dr. Z████████''