You know, I realized somethings.
Mario hates animals, be it gorillas, turtles, or frogs. Get's "bigger" (i.e. high) from 'shrooms and this constant substance abuse has lead to so much brain damage that in his and the player's mind he thinks that leaves have the power to transform him into some racoon hybrid. He even has a severe problem with pyromania that he blames on flowers, FLOWERS! It's been going on for so long that he even talks to the mushrooms.
It's clear to me now the underlying story of Mario games. Bowser and Peach, wanting to keep Mario from getting into trouble, stage each "kidnaping". They create a different fantasy adventure just for Mario in the hopes that maybe someday they'll be able to give Mario the help he needs. This is why their are no Mario juniors, but instead a Bowser Jr.
Bowser isn't a bad turtleman stealing Mario's woman every game. He's doing it to help Mario.
Bowser, the real hero of the Mario series.