Always a fun show, The Outer Limits. It had a world view that explored the mysteries of space travel and other life forms and how Man would react to and ultimately handle the unknown elements involved in Science and other forms of life not native to Earth.
“Specimen: Unknown” involves four astronauts aboard the space station Adonis and the resultant first contact they have with a rapidly flourishing vegetable-like life form.
It seems there is a toadstool like growth that the astronauts find at various spots on the space station. They try applying water and set the “mushrooms” in a growth culture. What results is a lily like flower that emerges. But the plant also can produce a life-threatening pollen spray. One astronaut/scientist is killed and therein lies part of the dilemma.
Plant forms, alien or otherwise scientifically engineered, have figured in science fiction tales before, namely, “The Day of The Triffids” (1951), John Wyndham, author, and science fiction film “The Thing” (1951). “Triffids” involves biologically engineered plant life and “The Thing” introduces a cinematic, “intellectual carrot” from space who preys upon human and animal blood to maintain its existence.
Either way you slice it, alien plant-based life can pack an unexpected wallop!
