Ivy (Resident Evil)

Overview

The original plant weapon is formally designated Plant 43. Capcom connects its deliberate development to data from Plant 42, the accidental laboratory-guardhouse organism. Selective breeding gives Ivy independent locomotion, two tentacles for attacking and catching prey, and a headlike bulb that sprays digestive fluid. The encyclopedia also attributes rapid adaptation to environmental toxins and a primitive intelligence produced by the fictional weapons programme. These claims belong to Resident Evil’s biotechnology rather than to every natural carnivorous plant. Its plant body is an active opponent, not merely a rooted obstruction or a human infected by an ordinary zombie-producing process.

The original Resident Evil 2 guide locates moving Ivies in the underground laboratory and describes vine strikes, acidic spit and fire-based counterplay. Its conditional appearances also show that particular scenario actions can affect the later enemy arrangement. The 2019 remake gives Ivy a notably different physical presentation: the inspected guide identifies former laboratory scientists infected by Plant 43, producing human bodies with plantlike appendages. Close contact can be lethal, while fire remains important. Another inspected remake account distinguishes attacks on yellow bulbs, which can topple or stun the creature, from burning that prevents its return. Keeping those bodies and responses within remake scope avoids turning the original mobile shrub into an identical infected scientist. The shared name and laboratory connection provide a useful comparison without erasing a real change in how the monster is represented.

First appearances & development

Resident Evil 2 (1998) supplies the original walking Plant 43 weapon; Resident Evil 2 (2019) supplies the plant-infected human portrayal. Capcom’s encyclopedia connects original development to Plant 42 research. Both are grouped for a version comparison rather than declared identical organisms with one anatomy and one combat procedure.

Canon & continuity

The individual publisher encyclopedia directly supports original selective development, locomotion, tentacles and digestive bulb. Separately inspected original and remake specialist records support their distinct laboratory forms. The remake guide’s yellow-bulb and burning account adds a bounded tactical distinction; the original guide’s unsupported Triffid inspiration label is not promoted into creator testimony.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Resident Evil 2

   Capcom · 1998

   Original walking plant organism and laboratory scenario encounters.

2. 02

   Resident Evil 2

   Capcom · 2019

   Former scientists infected by Plant 43, with distinct bulbs and revival counterplay.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. OfficialIvy — Capcom Creature EncyclopediaResearch access: 2026-10-05
2. ReferenceIvy (Resident Evil 2) — game-specific Evil Resource guideResearch access: 2026-10-05
3. ReferenceIvy (Resident Evil 2 Remake) — game-specific Evil Resource guideResearch access: 2026-10-05
4. ReferenceResident Evil 2 remake enemy guide — IvyResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.