JoeKer5

CAPTION-GOES-HERE

Death Flower #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: The Lungflower must be erradicated from the planet, unfortunately to determine exactly how to accomplish this, further study is necessary, requiring the SCP Foundation to store, persevere, and study this deadly botanical. To do so, the containment unit needs to be capable of producing arctic, tropical, and temperate forest like conditions as the Lungflower exhibits different reactions based on its environment. A watered mist must be sprayed three times daily, but the containment unit must otherwise be air tight as the roots of this plant can burrow into any crack or crevice leading to it's escape, spread, or duplication. Similarly the venting and air conditioning must be a closed unit so spores cannot escape and infect staff or other SCPs. It is highly discouraged that any biological material is provided as food, and a small quart-sized jar of soil be the only housing. Any larger and the flower can grow to an agressive size, any smaller and the flowering will not grow significant enough for study. The jar itself should be clear plastic to allow monitoring of the root system.

Description: The Lungflower, from afar, resembles any other prairie flower, green leaves, stalk, and stem. The shape and marking of the red and black flower has smooth red petals with black lines in its dormant state. However, after inhabiting a living human host, the petal's shape and arrangement resemble a screaming human face. Local legends in Alaska point to this manifesting from the would be screams of its dying host.

Infections from this plant are fatal in two days. The following cycle has been observed in Anchorage, Alaska; Marrakech, Morocco; and the Hurtgen Forest, Germany. When in close proximity to the flower, surface contact or inhalation of pollen, replication occurs within the day. In less than 8 house, new root growth from the spores will invade the host lungs and chest cavity. Breathing becomes labored and weezing begins with breathing. During day 2 of infection, the host begins to see stem and flower growth sprout from the nose, mouth, ears, and other body cavities. This quickly leads to death via suffocation and asphyxiation. If the host body is not then destroyed, on day 3 the Lungflower will have fully covered the host body in flowers, vines, and a mossy like covering of the skin. At this point the interior roots will have invaded the muscular structure of the host body, achieving full symbiosis and gaining the ability to manipulate the body into movement. Nuanced manipulation of small appendages has not been witnessed, but arms are able to grasp and swing and legs develop from a stagger to a run between 72 and 120 hours after infection. This ability is short lived until the host body decays to the point that muscles, tendons, ligaments, bone structure fall into significant deterioration.

Addendum: Summary of the Alaskan Incident based on the notes of Dr. Kenneth J. Smith and security video footage from the Halico Northwest Research Facility 120 miles north of Anchorage.
February 6, 2:30 pm. Dr. Smith, Mr. Jansen, and Dr. Turskey were exploring a rock face that was exposed from an ice melt. They observed a lone red flower grew in the middle of an otherwise snow covered field nearby. Dr. Turskey noted a sharp fragrant akin to lavender.

2:45 Dr. Turskey began coughing. This worsened to the point that they returned to the laboratory for emergency care.

4:00 All three men arrive in the medical unit of the research laboratory to administer aid. Dr. Turskey's breathing was labored but his vital signs remained stable.

5:00 Mr. Jansen departs the facility to retrieve a sample of the then unknown flower for study.

6:30 Mr. Jansen returns. He and Dr. Smith begin studying the Lungflower.

9:30 Smith and Jansen retire to their quarters. Turksey remains in the medical unit.

February 7th 5:30 am. Alarms from the medical equipment indicating Dr. Turskey's declining health awaken Smith and Jansen. They rush to his aid. Stems and leaves have emerged from Truskey's orifices.

6:30 Jansen attempts to remove the vine that has grown from Turskey's mouth that is causing extreme discomfort, breathing difficulty, and choking. A piece of his lung comes out with the vine. No other attempts are made to manually remove the growth.

7:00 Anchorage is radioed for emergency help. An ambulance is initially dispatched, but is later called back. No official reason was provided.

12:00 pm Turskey is pronounced dead.

2:30 pm Jansen begins to exhibit early exposure symptoms and quarantines himself. Dr.Smith calls Anchorage again; there is no answer.

11:00 pm The reanimated body of Dr. Turskey begins to walk the halls of the Halico Northwest Research Facility. Jansen and Smith flee throughout the lab in fear.
February 8th 3:00 am Jansen and Smith are cornered in the parking garage area. They use a bear trap to subdue the foliage covered Turskey, then use a container of gasoline to burn the body.

6:30 am. Foliage growth is found in Jansen's orifices. Dr. Smith begins labored breathing.
Smith attempts to call Anchorage again to no avail. All external means of communication appear to malfunction. Smith begins handwriting rapid notes.

9:00 am Video Surveillance feed cuts off.