Mutation

Pikmin are occasionally born with mutations, which may be beneficial, detrimental, or ineffectual. Possible mutations include changes in body color and amount of physical features such as limbs or limb extremities and stems or stem extremities. Mutations can also be brought upon by radiation exposure.

=In fanon games=

In Pikmin: Dual Worlds
In Pikmin: Dual Worlds, there is a rare chance of Pikmin having mutations. Most are harmless and simply change minor details about a Pikmin's appearance, such as having a few petals be a different color, the Pikmin's body being a duller or brighter color, a Pikmin having a different tint, or other changes. However, certain mutations can be beneficial. Fasciation can be spotted almost immediately after a Pikmin sprouts; it has more than the usual number of leaves. Pikmin with this mutation have thicker buds and a large bundle of flowers on their stem in later stages. They tend to be slightly faster than other Pikmin of their species, which is especially noticeable with White Pikmin. This is due to having more leaves and petals, as they can get more carbon dioxide from the air. Except for Rock Pikmin, they tend to deal more damage as well, due to having a heavier stem. Pikmin may also have phyllody, which causes Pikmin to grow more leaves instead of gaining a flower. This essentially acts as fasciation, though it doesn't increase the Pikmin's damage. Polydactyly causes Pikmin to have additional digits on their hands and feet. This can improve a Pikmin's grip, improving its traction on slippery surfaces, its grip on enemies, and its carrying capacity, by giving the Pikmin a better grip.