The Plicky Forth: one of the world's most unusual plants -

The Plicky Forth bears fruit only once every 50 to 100 years.

It is found in only one place on Earth: the Western Un-organized Imperial District of Hoobah Boobah Land (for more information on Hoobah Boobah Land's western-most province, see the post of 12/11/07).

The western part of Hoobah Boobah Land is inhospitable to most life. Some parts of this region never have temperatures above freezing. It so happens that the Plicky Forth can not survive at temperatures above 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). This is why it grows in the western part of Hoobah Boobah Land.

How can a plant survive in such an environment? The answer lies in the natural anti-freeze found in the Plicky Forth's stalk. The Plicky Forth naturally creates a chemical that maintains its internal temperature at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (however, at temperatures above freezing, this anti-freeze converts into a toxin that would quickly kill the Plicky Forth).

The fruit of the Plicky Forth is called the Pliplocky. It is a rare delicacy. King Ralph VI sent an expedition to western Hoobah Boobah Land in search of a fruit-bearing Plicky Forth. In spite of many hardships, the explorers found a Plicky Forth with fruit ready for picking. An artist on the expedition drew the picture you see above. They brought the Pliplocky at the top of the Plicky Forth back to King Ralph VI, where he shared it with his family and a few trusted servants.

Many thanks to my assistants at the Hoobah Boobahn-American Friendship Society for translating names of the Plicky Forth parts into English.

United States Will Not Be Sending An Ambassador to Hoobah Boobah Land

Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State of the United States of America

A source in the State Department, who asked that his name be withheld because he was not authorized to talk to journalists, has said that Barack Obama will not try to establish diplomatic relations with Hoobah Boobah Land.

"With wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Swine Flu scare, an economic recession, and other problems, the Government of the United States does not think it should be a priority to attempt to have formal contact with the Government of His Most Royal Highness, King Ralph VI.

"Three presidents prior to Barack Obama have made friendly gestures toward Hoobah Boobah Land. All three attempts were rejected with great unkindness (see the post of 11/24/09). His Majesty's Government has shown no interest in creating ties with the United States. We therefore believe that President Obama would not meet with success in approaching King Ralph VI with an overture of friendship.

"If King Ralph VI ever wishes to initiate constructive conversation with the United States of America, President Obama would be receptive. Secretary of State Clinton would then visit Hoobah Boobah Land at her first available opportunity, in order to hold formal discussions regarding the establishment of diplomatic ties.

"Until that time, President Obama joins Secretary Clinton in sending his best wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity to King Ralph VI, his family, and his loyal subjects."