The Punies are the inhabitants of the Great Tree in the Boggly Woods. Punies are small creatures with gray, squishy bodies. They have two dark stripes running down their backs. Punies have four tiny legs, and a small, bobbling antennae, which the color can vary from green, blue, pink, yellow, orange, or purple. The Puni Tribe helps Mario by working together to reach new areas and help Mario get the Emerald Star. The Puni Tribe was long at war with the Jabbies. Puni may be a pun on puny, which means small.
Punies can also appear in the Audience during a battle, and will swarm in if Mario or his partners do a stylish move. The Punies in the audience may also toss a helpful item, like a Honey Syrup, to Mario. If a loud noise emits, though, all Punies in the audience will flee.