Poison

Poison is a hazard that takes the form of a purple-colored gas, and is fatal to Pikmin that are not White Pikmin or Bulbmin – they will begin choking if the top of their stem is engulfed by poison gas. Choking Pikmin will run around in a panic and, if not saved, will eventually succumb and die. These Pikmin can be rescued by being whistled at. Poison gas is completely harmless to leaders, presumably because their spacesuits filter the air.

One of the White Pikmin's most notable traits is their relation to poison. They can withstand poisonous gas without choking, making them ideal to destroy poison sources. In addition, the White Pikmin themselves are poisonous – if an enemy ingests one, they will instantly receive some damage, and some purple particles will flow out of them, similar to the ones released from poison gas.

Poison is a bit different in, mostly taking the form of poisonous lakes and attacks from the Berserk Leech Hydroe. Any Pikmin that falls in, or even Olimar himself, will instantly die.

In Pikmin: Attack of the Breadbugs
Poison appears in Pikmin: Attack of the Breadbugs.

In Pikmin: Wide World
Poison is a common hazard appearing in Pikmin: Wide World, in the forms of a purple-colored gas or liquid. White Pikmin are resistant to it, and poison most enemies that eat them. How much damage a White Pikmin's poison can inflict upon an enemy depends on its size and if the involved enemy utilizes poison. Other Pikmin that touch poison will begin flailing around, choking, with a cloud of it engulfing the end of their stem, but they can be whistled to save them. Leaders are unaffected by poison because of their suits' filtration systems. Poison can be utilized by leaders by using a dose of ultra-toxic spray, which can be gained by collecting enough of a Spiny Spiderwort's berries or by finding a drop of it. Upon use, a large cloud of poison will appear around the leader that used the spray, and it will linger there for some time before dissipating. This cloud deters most enemies, harming those passing through it, but it can also endanger any Pikmin except White Pikmin. However, enemies that utilize poison may pass through without harm, and some enemies, such as the Stubborn Bulblon, do not care if they are hurt by the poison cloud. Smoke bomb rocks, upon activation, emit poison gas for some time before becoming inert. It is highly recommended that White Pikmin carry them and that the smoke bomb rocks they are carrying be used to keep enemies at bay. Gas pipes are the most common poison-related hazard and can be found within bramble gates to form poison bramble gates, much like how fire geysers can be found within bramble gates to form fire bramble gates.

Berry Bloysters, in water, can release a short-lasting cloud of poison to defend themselves with. Black Spectralids feverishly flap their wings to scatter poisonous black scales when threatened. Doodlebugs release flatulence, leaving a small, short-lasting cloud of poison at their previous location. Mouthy Mimitators can spew from their mouth a toxic substance that acts as both acid and poison, meaning no Pikmin is resistant to it. Munge Dweevils can release a cloud of poison gas in self-defense. Noxious Mitites are perpetually cloaked in poison gas. Poisonous Blowhogs blow poison gas onto Pikmin and leaders, pushing them around and poisoning them. Putrid Bulbears are perpetually engulfed by a cloud of poison gas and can also exhale it. Sporegrubs release small clouds of poison gas at potential attackers. Spornets hover over Pikmin to sprinkle poison dust onto them. Swarming Burrow-nit Larvae can produce small puffs of poison gas to ward off attackers, although, unlike in Pikmin 2, ordinary Burrow-nit Larvae cannot. Tropical Bloysters are poisonous to the touch, but their bulbs can be attacked by any Pikmin type. Venomous Scornets can poison Pikmin by stinging them. The Ancient Bulblax, though not itself poisonous, has a few Spiny Spiderworts growing on its back, its berries being knocked loose every step the creature takes and bursting upon impact with the ground. Daddy Long Legs' have poisonous spores stuck in the hairs protecting their joints. The Grimacing Cremblub exhales poison, which it does passively or while producing a vocalization. Heir Bulblaxes can exhale poison. The Hydroe Host, being a heavily-mutated Mouthy Mimitator, can spew the same toxic substance as the ordinary ones do. Jazzy Crawmads, from a distance, can squirt a line of liquid poison at its prey. The Noxious Crawbster is perpetually cloaked in poison gas. The Smoky Progg is unique in that the poison emitted from the base of its body can instantly kill even White Pikmin. Lastly, the Titan Dweevil may turn purple before releasing a massive cloud of poison, as one of its four hazard-based attacks.

Although ink, such as that produced by Inky Waddlepi, Sputtlefish, and Mesmerizing Sputtlefish, may appear to be a form of poison, it is completely harmless and only a source of panic. Similarly, the glowing pink particles scattered by Twilight Spectralids and Vehemoth Phosbats are completely harmless and have the same effects. Both Jackwigs and Shearpions may sting Pikmin they are attacking, but neither inject poison into them. Withering Blowhogs and Withering Blowlets blow what may be assumed to be poison, but their breath only reduces a Pikmin's maturity to the leaf stage.