- "He hasn’t stopped running. Did you see his body? No. Did anyone? No. Nothing could kill him. He made rabbits bigger than they’ve ever been – braver, more skillful, more cunning. I know we paid for it. Some gave their lives. It was worth it, to feel we were Efrafans."
- — Groundsel believing Woundwort is still alive
Captain Groundsel was an Efrafan rabbit who was in the Left Flank mark of the Owsla. He eventually became the Chief Rabbit of Vleflain.
Books[]
Watership Down[]
When Bigwig's group escapes from Efrafa, Groundsel winds up confronting an escaping Blackavar. Groundsel is attacked and ends up fleeing Blackavar, lucky to not be more wounded.
Groundsel assists General Woundwort in digging the way into the burrow during the Battle of Watership Down. However, when Bob the dog comes, Groundsel is one of the five rabbits (along with Thistle) to seek shelter inside the burrow. The five rabbits surrender themselves and are eventually allowed to join the Watership Down warren.
Later, Groundsel tells the other rabbits that he believes Woundwort is still alive, thinking nothing could ever kill him, and is probably starting another warren somewhere else.
When Groundsel becomes the first Chief Rabbit, he had Strawberry and Buckthorn to give him advice.
Tales from Watership Down[]
He later created the warren Vleflain, which was comprised of half of Watership Down and half of Efrafan rabbits, and became its first Chief Rabbit. Groundsel showed great knowledge and wisdom, and was respected by other rabbits.
Trivia[]
- It's possible that Moss is his character's counterpart in TV series, since they play similar roles.
- In the Lapine glossary “Sayn” is another word for Groundsel (the plant).