[Work in Progress]

(Alternate title: Carnivorous Plant Library)

Item #: XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: Instances of SCP-XXXX are to be kept on Site A12, guarded by two men armed with S-24 tranquilizer rifles loaded with specialized darts coated with a potent herbicide (Solution A-32B seems to have the greatest effect on subjects). Instances are to be kept in a 32m x 32m greenhouse supplied with automated watering systems and UV lights. In the event of a containment breach, theses systems must be turned off immediately to prevent further contamination. Plants are to be kept in dirt filled troughs on 3 ft. high pews arranged across from one another, with high intensity UV floodlights hanging above them. Subjects are to be trimmed twice a day by two D-class personnel wearing hazardous environment suits.

Description: SCP-XXX (and further instances of said SCP-XXXX, hereby named Betas) is a Nepenthes distillatoria, more commonly known as the Pitcher plant. Plants bred from the source plant retain anomalous properties and will never show signs of dying or sickness throughout its existence. However, each instance is able to be destroyed through the use of herbicides, acids, fire, or sufficient cutting or stamping. The anomalous properties of SCP-XXXX manifest whenever a nonfiction written text (such as a book) is brought within 5 meters of an instance. The plant will begin to tilt toward the text, as if exhibiting heliotropism towards the item in question. Dissections done on neutralized plants show no means of this movement, however, this tilting remains. If the text is brought within 6 inches of the pitcher plants trap, the plant will grow slightly taller as if reaching for the book. If any section of the text touches the phytotelma of the plant, it will begin to be absorbed and dissolved by the plant. Once the entire source material has been digested by the plant, Phase 2 of SCP-XXXX's life cycle will begin.

SCP-XXXX will begin tilting towards humans, reaching for them as they would a book or document. It is advised to exhibit extreme caution when approaching these plants as some of them may be in a delayed Phase 2 that will attempt to reach personnel. If any human comes into contact with the phytotelma of the pitcher plant, they will be immediately paralyzed by the dissolving fluid. Slowly, the plant will begin to grow more and more as it fully encompasses the human body. Soon, the plant will be characterized as a Phase 3, resembling a human torso wrapped in long leaves. The human who has been engulfed will be unable to communicate, and will immediately begin seeking out the nearest source of biological life other than other plants. Subjects will display incredible aggressiveness towards any humans it sees. Phase 3 instances achieve movement by use of thousands of small roots that slither along the ground, leaving a trail of phytotelma that has the potential to spawn further Phase 1 plants. If SCP-XXXX's Phase 3 form reaches any sentient being, it will immediately begin devouring them by tearing them into small pieces and absorbing them through the phytotelma seeping from their epidermis. At this point, the subject will have begun speaking, repeating the text absorbed in a mimic of the absorbed human's voice. It is unknown how these sounds are produced, as any plants terminated in Phase 3 will immediately dissolve into phytotelma. After at least 4 instances of SCP-XXXX have reached Phase 3, they will congregate together in the nearest building and enter Phase 4 of infection. After 10 minutes of what seems to be some sort of ritual in which instances of SCP-XXXX will hold hands in a circle and hum, the subjects will line themselves along the walls and attach their roots into the wall. After approximately 10 minutes, SCP-XXXX's epidermis will turn an ashy grey, and, when approached, will repeat a random line of text from the previously absorbed text. The largest known congregation of subjects has over 500 inhabitants containing various texts from medical dictionaries to 4th grade English textbooks.

SCP-XXXX was found in a giant underground cavern full of instances in various phases of the life cycle of SCP-XXXX.