The Chewlip is the very first plant-based monster to appear in the series, debuting in Dragon Quest II. Despite being a trend setter, the monster has remained in relative obscurity until its reappearance into the main series with Dragon Quest XI.
The Chewlip draws inspiration from the Rafflesia Arnoldi, the world's largest (and most foul smelling) flowering plant. Unlike the ground-blooming bud in the real world, the Chewlip raises itself up on its roots and lashes out at prey with sap-coated tentacles. Its name is a pun based on a combination of the words "chew" and "tulip".