History

  Plant Elementals have existed on Earth long before humans. Born when an animal died in flames and merged with the Earth, the Elementals became protectors of plant life throughout history. When they had done their time, they would join the Parliament of Trees, a group mind of former Elementals. Ages ago, at the dawn of plant life on Earth, the time-traveling Swamp Thing (IV) arrived and planted a seed that would eventually become Yggdrasil, a Plant Elemental shaped like a DNA helix and founder of the Parliament. Over time the membership grew with beings such as Eyam (based on the form of a trilobite), Swamp Knucker (a dinosaur), Bog Venus (patterned on the mind of a medicine woman), Ghost Hiding In The Rushes (a sorcerer of 3rd century China), Swamp Thing I (an early 20th century scientist), and many others. Until recently, the Parliament was stationed in a grove in Brazil, south of the river Tefé, while their minds dwelled in the realm of the Green. Although preaching peace, the Parliament was involved in several conflicts in the past. Differing opinions created off-shoot groups such as the Parliament of Stones and the fungus-based Grey. Quite recently, it was revealed that the Parliament of Trees (and other Elemental Parliaments) had an agenda with Swamp Thing that included the destruction and re-making of Earth. To prevent that from happening, the Heavenly power called the Word (I) destroyed the Parliament, but not until they had passed on all their power to the Swamp Thing, who would do their bidding. But Swamp Thing refused in the last second, giving humanity another chance. The Parliament of Trees is now eternally burning in the realm of the Green. A few of its former members have survived since they were not present during the massacre at the hands of the Word.