Lava Lotus
A Lava Lotus is a plant in Super Mario Bros. 3 that lives underwater. They collect Fireballs under their transparent leaves and then open up to release them. The fireballs can go through platforms and make navigating underwater difficult. The number they shoot out is random and can be up to four at a time.
Interestingly, Lava Lotuses were given a land counterpart in Super Mario World, which, oddly, didn't feature them. These Volcano Lotuses have gone on to be slightly more popular characters (earning an appearance in Super Princess Peach), leaving Lava Lotuses in obscurity.
Appearances in Other Media
A single Lava Lotus appeared briefly in The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 episode "Oh, Brother!". This Lava Lotus unleashed its fireballs on Frog Luigi, who managed to swim past them with ease, mainly due to the Frog Suit that Princess Toadstool had advised him to wear. Other than this minor role, Lava Lotuses never made another appearance during the course of the series.
