Hellgrowth

In Doom 2016, Hellgrowth is the name given to the flesh-like substance that appears in areas corrupted by Hell.

Doom 2016/Eternal
Hellgrowth is given its canonical name as well as some lore explaining its purpose in the Hellish corruption process besides being disgusting scenery. Special forms of it, such as gore nests and tentacles, are also introduced.

Doom Eternal explains that hellgrowth is a cancerous, rapidly growing organic biomass that is associated with demonic activity and invasions. Gore nests are explained to emit powerful electromagnetic fields which induce an inverse quantum field. This results in tears in space-time which open up portals&mdash;also called continuum gates by the ARC&mdash;to Hell. Furthermore, it is mentioned that hellgrowth in general emits toxins hostile to native life, effectively terraforming the environment around it into something suitable only for habitation by demons.

In the Reclaimed Earth level of The Ancient Gods, Part Two, which occurs after the invasion of Earth has been thwarted, hellgrowth can be seen to have fossilized into a stone-like substance in the absence of an active invasion. This suggests that a constant connection to Hell is required to sustain it.

Classic Doom
Seen through the lens of Doom 2016 canon, there are arguably instances of texturing that are akin to "hellgrowth" in classic Doom, starting in episode 2 of Doom 1. These usually consist of textures such as, , and , as well as the corresponding flats. The first instance is found in in the moving pillar room, where organic columns constantly raise and lower. ,, , , , all feature additional examples. In Doom II, it can be found in, , , and especially in.

As Doom 1 and 2 depict both organic and inert "hellish" textures mingling with "real world" ones from E2M1 onwards (including marble, wood and various rock textures), it's a matter of interpretation whether there is any "growth" involved.

Doom 3
Hellgrowth is introduced in Administration, shortly after Sergeant Kelly tells the player to watch out for some kind of "unidentified growth" that is "taking over the base." It is prominently featured in Transfer Station, Delta Labs 3, Delta Complex, and Processing Distribution Center. It is also encountered in the Resurrection of Evil expansion, particularly Phobos Labs and Delta Labs.