Herbology: Magical and Mundane Plants
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Herbology involves the study of plants as they relate to the Wizarding world. Some of the plants studied in Herbology classes are semi-sentient and are essentially magical creatures. These can be quite dangerous. Other plants are magical versions of what Muggles would consider to be normal, mundate plants. In some cases, plants which are well known to Muggles are studied by Herbologists for their hidden, magical attributes.
Some plants are cultivated specifically for use in potions. At Hogwarts, the Herbology professor grows these for the Potions Master, who then cuts, slices, dries, crushes, or otherwise prepares the roots, leaves, or other parts. Some plants are cultivated for use in Healing, and the Matron (Nurse) uses these in the Hospital Wing.
Witches and wizards can make a career of working with plants and herbs. Many great discoveries have been made over the centuries which have improved the lives of many, including bubotuber pus to cure acne and gillyweed to allow breathing underwater. However, everyone in the Wizarding world should have some level of understanding of magical plants, whether it is to properly tend a Wizard's garden or to understand which herbs to buy for basic day-to-day potion making.
Editor's note: Some of these plants exist in Muggle folklore but are not necessarily credited with the attributes attributed to them in the Wizarding world.
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plants known to Muggles |
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wand wood |
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healing |
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brooms |
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divination |
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potion ingredients |
Herbs, Plants and Trees
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
Abyssinian shrivelfig
Second-year Herbology
students work with these plants, learning to prune them
(CS15).
When peeled, shrivelfigs are used as an ingredient in
Shrinking Solution
(see).
"shrivel" = Eng. "become smaller"
aconite
(monkshood,
wolfsbane)
This is a mundane plant with magical uses (PS8).
In magical lore, aconite combined with belladonna was applied as a magical ointment by witches to make themselves fly.
Aconite is an extremely poisonous plant (hence its other name of wolfsbane). It is also
called monkshood because the shape of the flowers somewhat resembles a monk's cowl.
Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs informs us that a
folk name for the highly poisonous Wolf's Bane is "Dumbledore's
Delight". -- SVA
Ellis Peters' medieval mystery 
Monk's Hood is recommended as both a
very good story in its own right and as featuring both the positive and
dangerous aspects of this plant. In the story the herbalist Brother Cadfael
used the plant as part of an oil used to massage aching joints, but if
swallowed or absorbed directly through any break in the skin, the oil
could be deadly. -- MLW
Alihotsy
Eating the leaves of this shrub causes hysteria, the cure for which is a melancholy-inducing syrup from the Glumbumble (FB).
"Alihotsy" from Sikidy = "gain, lightness of being" (c.f. SDNY)
Famous (and infamous) Names in Herbology:
Broderick Bode
Elladora Ketteridge
Neville Longbottom
Beaumont Marjoribanks
Garrick Ollivander
Derwent Shimpling
Pamona Sprout
Uric the Oddball
ash
Used to make brooms (QA9) and wands (Pm).
Ollivander writes much about wands made of ash. He states that "(t)he ash wand cleaves to its one true master and ought not to be passed on or gifted from the original owner, because it will lose power and skill." He also writes that ash wands have the reputation of being "stubborn", but that "(t)he ideal owner may be stubborn, and will certainly be courageous, but never crass or arrogant." Read more on Pottermore.
aspen
A wand wood (Pm).
According the Ollivander, an aspen wand is "usually outstanding" for charms magic. He states that "(t)he proper owner of the aspen wand is often an accomplished duellist, or destined to be so." Read more on Pottermore.
asphodel
Asphodel in an ingredient in the
Draught of Living Death (HBP9).
In Greek mythology, the asphodel plant was thought to be the favourite food of the dead. Greeks often planted asphodel around graveyards (The Lexicon p. 14).
beech
A wand wood (Pm).
According the Ollivander, "(w)hen properly matched, the beech wand is capable of a subtlety and artistry rarely seen in any other wood." Read more on Pottermore.
belladonna
This is a mundane plant with magical uses
(DP2, JKR-W1). Essence of belladonna is part of the standard potions-making kit used by students (GF10).
In magical lore, aconite combined with belladonna was applied as a magical ointment by witches to make themselves fly.
"bella donna" = Italian "fair lady", "originating either from its usage as cosmetic for the face, or, more probably, from its usage to increase the pupil size in ladies" (Wikipedia).
Potion Ingredients:
Abyssinian shrivelfig
aconite
asphodel
belladonna
bubotuber
daisy
fluxweed
gillyweed
ginger
hellebore
knotgrass
lovage
mistletoe berries
monkshood
nettle
scurvy-grass
sneezewort
sopophorous bean
Valerian roots/sprigs
wolfsbane
wormwood
blackthorn
A wand wood (Pm). Ron "liberated" a blackthorn wand from a Snatcher who had tried to capture him (DH19).
According the Ollivander, a wand of this wood "has the reputation, in my view well-merited, of being best suited to a warrior." Read more on Pottermore.
black walnut
A wand wood (Pm).
According the Ollivander, a wand of this wood "seeks a master of good instincts and powerful insight. Black walnut is a very handsome wood, but not the easiest to master." Read more on Pottermore.
bouncing bulb
Repotted during
Herbology class; one
wriggled free from Harry's grasp and
banged him in the face (GF18).
Mentioned in the
Rumours advert
for the Toots, Shoots 'n' Roots
radio program ("Bouncing bulbs losing height?") (JKR).
bubotuber
A bubotuber looks like a thick, black, giant slug (it even squirms slightly,
although it sticks vertically out of the soil) with many large shiny
swellings on it that are filled with a yellow-green pus that smells like
petrol (GF13). As
Professor Sprout taught her fourth-year
students, the pus reacts oddly with human skin. Undiluted, it will raise
horribly painful boils on contact
(GF28), but properly diluted
and processed can be used to cure acne
(GF13). The pimple-curing properties were discovered by Sacharissa Tugwood (FW). (Also JKR W1).
bubo = (Gr. boubôn, "groin") (plural form: buboes) is a swelling of the lymph nodes. It is found in infections such as bubonic plague. It is similar in appearance to a huge blister, and usually appears under the armpit, in the groin or on the neck. Tuber = In anatomy, the term tubercle may describe a round lump or warty outgrowth found on bones or skin, or, in cases of tuberculosis, in the lungs (Wikipedia).
cabbage
Hagrid maintains a cabbage patch for
Hogwarts, presumably to supply
the school kitchens. According to Hagrid,
flesh-eating slugs have been known to get into them
(CS4).
Cabbage, Chinese Chomping
Hermione studied a diagram
of this when the fifth years were researching potion ingredients in the library for Snape (OP16).
cedar
A wand wood (Pm).
According the Ollivander, "Whenever I meet one who carries a cedar wand, I find strength of character and unusual loyalty." Read more on Pottermore.
cherry
A species of tree that qualifies as a "wand tree", in that its wood
can be used in the making of wands
(HBP7).
The wand
Neville's grandmother bought
him to replace the wand destroyed during the
battle
of the Department of Mysteries is made of cherry wood with a core of unicorn hair (HBP7), a particularly powerful combination which would only be usable by a wizard of"exceptional self-control and strength of mind" (Pm).
Ollivander discusses this "very rare wand wood" and states that it creates a wand of "strange power" (Pm). Read more on Pottermore.
Famous Wandmakers:
Garrick Ollivander
Gervaise Ollivander
Gerbold Octavius Ollivander
Geraint Ollivander
Gregorovitch
Arturo Cephalopos
chestnut
A wand wood (Pm).
According the Ollivander, "(t)he wand of chestnut is attracted to witches and wizards who are skilled tamers of magical beasts, those who possess great gifts in Herbology, and those who are natural fliers." Read more on Pottermore.
cypress
A wand wood (Pm).
According the Ollivander, "Cypress wands are associated with nobility." Read more on Pottermore.
daisy
The roots of the daisy are used in a shrinking solution (PA7; also JKR-W1).
An old wives’ tale says that daisy roots, boiled in milk and fed to a farm animal, can stop the animal from growing too large.
Devil's Snare
Devil's Snare is composed of a mass of soft, springy tendrils and vines that
possess some sense of touch. Devil's Snare uses its creepers and tendrils
to ensnare anyone who touches it, binding their arms and legs and eventually
choking them. The harder a person struggles against Devil's Snare, the
more faster and more tightly it binds them; if they relax, it will not
kill them as quickly. Devil's Snare prefers a dark, damp environment and
shrinks away from fire, so a well-placed flame spell such as
"bluebell flames"
will drive it away from its victims (PS16).
First year students at Hogwarts learn about Devil's Snare in
Herbology classes.
A cutting of Devil's Snare, passed off as a potted plant
(Flitterbloom), was used to murder
Broderick Bode in St. Mungo's. Devil's Snare is mentioned in the
Rumours advert for the Toots, Shoots 'n' Roots radio program
(JKR). Professor Sprout used Devil's Snare as a weapon against invading Death Eaters during the Battle of Hogwarts (DH30).
The Daily Prophet reported
that the Devil's Snare "instantly" throttled Bode when he touched it (OP22, OP25);
given what we know about Devil's Snare, is someone giving perjured testimony
about the details of Bode's death? If there was a witness competent to
testify to how Bode died, and if Devil's Snare typically takes as long
to kill as it took in PS16
(longer, since this one was much smaller), then somebody's lying about
the details of Bode's death.
In the film (PS/f), the
Devil's Snare had somewhat different properties and was driven back by a bright sunlight spell.
There are not bright sunlight spells in the Harry Potter universe,
however, so this is one of many instances where the film is in error.
While the Devil's Snare in the Potter books is clearly a magical plant, the name is actually borrowed from a real and very poisonous plant, the Datura stramonium, also known by such diverse names as ditch weed, loco weed, devil's trumpet, and my personal favorite, devil's twinkie.
Dirigible Plum
A fruit growing near the Lovegood house. Luna wears these as earrings (OP13), probably because they are said to help a person accept the unusual (DH20).
dirigible = an airship comprised of a large, gas-filled cylindrical tube with a carriage beneath. The dirigible plums are shown floating in the air in (DH1/f), which harkens to the meaning of the word.
Healing Plants:
dittany
Mandrake
mistletoe berries
rue
dittany
One of the plants found in
One
Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
(PS14), and which historically
has indeed been believed to have magic powers. Hermione's go-to healing potion is Essence of Dittany (DH14, DH27).
There are several plant varieties which are called dittany. The variety native to Crete is particularly reputed to have healing powers. In Ancient Greece, Hippocrates considered dittany useful for stomach aches and complaints of the digestive system and as a poultice for healing wounds.
dogwood
A wand wood (Pm).
According the Ollivander, "(d)ogwood wands are quirky and mischievous; they have playful natures and insist upon partners who can provide them with scope for excitement and fun." Read more on Pottermore.
ebony
A wand wood (Pm).
According the Ollivander, "(e)bony is happiest in the hand of those with the courage to be themselves." Read more on Pottermore.
elder
A wand wood (Pm).
According the Ollivander, "the elder wand is trickier to master than any other. It contains powerful magic, but scorns to remain with any owner who is not the superior of his or her company." Read more on Pottermore.
elm
A wand wood. Lucius Malfoy's
wand was made of elm
(DH1), possibly because elm wands are believed by some to only be usable by pure-bloods (Pm).
According the Ollivander, "elm wands prefer owners with presence, magical dexterity and a certain native dignity." Read more on Pottermore.
Locations Related to Herbology
Hogwarts greenhouses
Forbidden Forest
Abyssinia
apothecary, Diagon Alley
Assyria
Mediterranean Sea
English oak
A wand wood (Pm).
According the Ollivander, "(w)ands of English oak demand partners of strength, courage and fidelity." Read more on Pottermore.
Fanged Geranium
This plant, which will bite humans, turned up on Harry's
Herbology
O.W.L. (OP31).
Mentioned in the Rumours advert for the Toots, Shoots 'n' Roots radio program ("Fanged Geranium nothing but gums?") and in the Grade 3 W.O.M.B.A.T. test (JKR).
fir
A wand wood (Pm).
According the Ollivander, "(f)ir wands are particularly suited to Transfiguration, and favour owners of focused, strong-minded and, occasionally, intimidating demeanour." Read more on Pottermore.
Flitterbloom
This plant apparently superficially resembles
Devil's Snare in appearance, but is non-violent;
St. Mungo's healer Miriam Strout mistook the Devil's Snare that killed
Broderick Bode for a Flitterbloom
(OP22,
OP25). Mentioned in the
radio program Toots, Shoots 'n' Roots
(JKR).
Flutterby bush
This kind of bush quivers and shakes. The Flutterby bushes needed pruning
in Herbology class
(GF20). Flutterby bushes produces flowers every hundred years that give off a scent to attract prey (Pm).
"Flutterby" is an old name for "butterfly"
fluxweed
An ingredient in Polyjuice potion, for which it must be picked at the full moon (CS10).
Isanthus brachiatus, a member of the mint family also known as
"false pennyroyal" (pennyroyal being another member of the
mint family). Fluxweed is native to the eastern United States and is
a threatened or endangered species in several areas
(PLANTS).
"flux" = "change"
gillyweed
Native to the Mediterranean, this water plant looks like a bundle of
slimy, greyish-green rat tails. When eaten, gives a person gills to breathe
underwater and gives them webbed hands and feet for swimming. The duration
of the gillyweed effect is approximately one hour. Snape keeps gillyweed
in his private stores; it is not available to the students
(GF26).
The effects of gillyweed were first dicovered by
Elladora Ketteridge
(fw/46). About a century
later, gillyweed was apparently re-discovered by
Beaumont Marjoribanks
(fw/54).
"gill" = a breathing organ found in many aquatic organisms
ginger
A component of the Wit-Sharpening Potion (GF27).
Gurdyroot
Resembles a green onion, and according to
Luna is excellent for warding off
Gulping Plimpies
(HBP20).
It can be made into a drink ("infusion of Gurdyroots") which is deep purple in color and unpleasant to drink to many (DH20). Mentioned in the radio program
Toots, Shoots 'n' Roots ("... tune in next time when we'll be discussing the right way to skin a Gurdyroot ...") (JKR).
Broom components:
ash
hazel
mahogany
oak
hawthorn
A wand wood (Pm). Draco Malfoy owned a hawthorn wand which had a core of unicorn hair (DH24).
According the Ollivander, "(h)awthorn wands may be particularly suited to healing magic, but they are also adept at curses ... " Read more on Pottermore.
hazel
A wand wood (Pm). Hazel twigs were used in the tails for medieval-era broomsticks (QA1).
According the Ollivander, "hazel often reflects its owner’s emotional state, and works best for a master who understands and can manage their own feelings." Read more on Pottermore.
hellebore
A potion ingredient in the form of a syrup, two drops of which are used in the making of the Draught of Peace (OP12).
There are several kinds of hellebore. The name comes from the
Greek words 'elein' (to injure) and 'bora' (food), indicating that hellebore
is poisonous. In some belief systems, it's been believed to be a purgative,
sometimes of bad things generally, used for things like protecting livestock
from evil spells, and (in powdered form) for invisibility.
According to herb lore, the roots of the hellebore plant are are used to treat melancholy diseases and madness.
holly
A species of tree that qualifies as a "wand tree," in that its wood
can be used in the making of wands.
Harry's wand is made of holly (esp. PS5, also GF12, DH8, DH17, DH36). Holly is often used as Christmas decorations (PS12, CS12, PA10, PA11, GF22, OP23, HBP15).
According the Ollivander, "holly should only be gathered as the year wanes." Wands made of holly "often choose owners who are engaged in some dangerous and often spiritual quest." Read more on Pottermore. (Also TBB-TB)
Holly is a
traditional symbol of resurrection, but in a much more upbeat sense than
yew. (Being associated with Christmas rather than cemeteries helps its image
considerably). According to www.botanical.com,
Pliny attributed several interesting magical properties to it, among them
that holly grants protection from poison, lightning, and witchcraft. Harry,
of course, has had close encounters with poison on several occasions, most
notably in the Chamber of Secrets, and we all know about the scar on his
forehead.
Honking Daffodil
Professor Sprout grows these, but
Lavender Brown says she
prefers mundane daffodils to take as a gift to someone
(OP27).
A wizard growing these in his garden may encounter a problem with Muggle neighbors hearing them, according to the radio program
Toots, Shoots 'n' Roots
(JKR).
hornbeam
A wand wood (Pm). Viktor Krum's wand is made of hornbeam and dragon heartstring
(GF18), as is the wand of Ollivander (Pm).
According the Ollivander, hornbeam creates a "particularly fine-tuned and sentient wand." Read more on Pottermore.
knotgrass
Knotgrass is an ingredient in Polyjuice Potion (CS10). It grows in the Forest and can be difficult to walk through (OP30).
The reference in OP -- "Harry and Hermione were struggling through a patch of thick knotgrass" -- suggests that their may be a magical version of knotgrass which actually binds or entangles a person who walks through it. If so, Rowling is playing on the word "knot" in the name of this common plant.
larch
A wand wood (Pm).
According the Ollivander, larch "creates wands of hidden talents and unexpected effects ... " Read more on Pottermore.
laurel
A wand wood (Pm).
Ollivander adds his own observations to the common wisdom that "a laurel wand cannot perform a dishonourable act" on Pottermore.
leaping toadstool
The second year Herbology
students worked with these (CS14).
lovage
A potion ingredient used to make Confusing and Befuddlement Draughts (OP18).
Levisticum officinale, a culinary and medicinal herb
in the carrot family that is native to southern Europe but which
has been introduced to North America
(NSOED, PLANTS).
mahogany
A species of tree that qualifies as a "wand tree," in that its wood
can be used in the making of wands
(PS5).
James Potter's first wand was made of mahogany, and according to Mr. Ollivander was
"excellent for Transfiguration",
which should have been of help to James as an Animagus (PS5). The handle of the Nimbus 2000 broom was made of mahogany (PS10). Dolores Umbridge's office door was made of mahogany (DH13).
mallowsweet
Centaurs burn this,
observing the fumes and flames to refine the results of their stargazing
(OP27).
Mandragora
See Mandrake.
Mandrake
(Mandragora)
The Mandrake root is a powerful restorative. It forms an essential part of
most antidotes, including one for
Petrification
(CS6).
The Mandrake Restorative Draught
returns people who have been Transfigured or cursed to their original state.
Mandrake seedlings are tufty little plants, purplish green in colour
(CS6) with what look like tiny
babies growing where the roots would be. These creatures grow and develop
over the course of several months until they mature and can be harvested and
used for potions. The cry of the Mandrake is fatal to humans, so special
care must be taken when growing them. Even as a baby, the Mandrake's howls
can knock a person out for a couple of hours.
The Dugbog is particularly
fond of eating Mandrakes (FB).
No, it's not an editorial oversight
that the Mandrake is listed as a plant that JKR didn't make up. The real-life
mandrake was once believed to have almost all the properties that Mandrakes
have, the main exception being that the plant only sort of looks human-shaped
instead of having the unusual roots that Mandrakes have. Or maybe Muggles
just can't see them...-- MLW
maple
A species of tree that qualifies as a
"wand tree", in that its wood
can be used in the making of wands
(PS5).
Ollivander writes that "(p)ossession of a maple wand has long been a mark of status, because of its reputation as the wand of high achievers." Read more on Pottermore.
Mimbulus mimbletonia
Very rare, native to
Assyria,
this plant resembles a grey cactus, but with boils where the spines would
have been. The boils are a defensive mechanism that spews Stinksap upon
contact.
This plant is a particular favorite of
Neville Longbottom's, who received
one as a present from his Great Uncle Algie for his
15th birthday. Like its owner, the plant grew a lot over that year
(OP10, OP11, OP38).
“The name probably comes from the genus of plants called mimulus. In the lore of flower remedies, as developed by British physician Dr Edward Bach in the 1920s, an essence made from the mimulus flower is said to counter anxiety and fear.” (The Lexicon p204).
mistletoe berries
Ingredient in the Antidote to Most Poisons and the Forgetfulness Potion (Pm). Mistletoe is used as Christmas decoration (PS12, CS12, GF23, OP21, HBP15), and was part of the decorations in the Room of Requirement just before the Christmas holidays Luna said that it keeps away Nargles (OP21). The Lovegoods have mistletoe growing on either side of their front door with a sign saying "PICK YOUR OWN MISTLETOE" (DH20).
In the lore of the druids, mistletoe signified life-force and fertility, hence the tradition of kissing under it.
monkshood
See aconite.
nettle
This herb is used as a potion ingredient, used dried for making the Boil Cure Potion (PS8). Nettles are also used to make wine (PS16) and tea (QA3). Nettles grow in the Forbidden Forest (OP30), around the Gaunt hovel (HBP10), in Queerditch Marsh (QA3), and in the ground around the Potters' destroyed cottage in Godrics Hollow (DH17). Glumbumbles feed on nettles (FB).
oak
A wand wood. Oak is a common
symbol of strength.
Hagrid's wand
was (and what's left of it still is) made of oak (PS5). Oaks grow on the Hogwarts grounds (PS9, PA21) and in the Forbidden Forest
(GF28). The great front doors of Hogwarts castle are made of oak (PS6, CS5, etc.), as is the door to Dumbledore's office (CS11). The doors into Auror Headquarters in the Ministry of Magic are made of oak (OP7). The handle of Ron's new Cleansweep broom is made of Spanish oak (OP9). (Also TBB-TB). See also English oak, red oak.
pear
A wand wood (Pm).
"This golden-toned wood produces wands of splendid magical powers," according to Ollivander. Read more on Pottermore.
peppermint
A plant used for potions. Harry added a sprig of peppermint to his Elixer to Induce Euphoria to control unwelcome side effects. He got the idea from the Half-Blood Prince's potions book (HBP22).
pine
A wand wood (Pm).
"Pine wands enjoy being used creatively, and unlike some others, will adapt unprotestingly to new methods and spells," writes Ollivander. Read more on Pottermore.
pomegranate
The juice may be used in Strengthening Solution at some stage and is definitely a potions ingredient.
poplar
A wand wood (Pm).
Ollivander writes that "(h)ere is a wand to rely upon, of consistency, strength and uniform power, always happiest when working with a witch or wizard of clear moral vision." Read more on Pottermore.
privet
One of only two English representatives of the olive family, this very
boring plant is often grown in Muggle suburbs to form hedges.
puffapod
Fat pink pods with seeds that burst into flower if dropped
(PA8).
pumpkin
Hagrid maintains a pumpkin patch
outside his hut, which
produces the pumpkins used to decorate the Great Hall for the
Hallowe'en feast. Although the plants aren't inherently magical,
Hagrid gives them some "help"
so that the pumpkins swell to the size of garden sheds by the time the feast
rolls around.
See also Pumpkins
R Us.
red oak
A wand wood (Pm).
Ollivander writes that "the true match for a red oak wand is possessed of unusually fast reactions, making it a perfect duelling wand." Read more on Pottermore.
redwood
A wand wood (Pm).
Ollivander writes that wands made of redwood are in "constant demand, due to its reputation for bringing good fortune to its owner." Read more on Pottermore.
rosewood
A wand wood. Fleur Delacour's wand was made of rosewood (GF18).
rowan
A wand wood (Pm).
Ollivander writes that a rowan wand "renders all manner of defensive charms especially strong and difficult to break." Read more on Pottermore.
rue
Ron took an essence of rue to help him recover from being poisoned (HBP19).
Also known as the Herb of Grace, rue is considered to be a protective herb as well as an herb of regret and of rememberance.
sage
Centaurs burn this,
observing the fumes and flames to refine the results of their stargazing
(OP27).
Screechsnap
Semi-sentient plant that wriggles and squeaks uncomfortably when given
too much dragon dung manure.
The fifth years worked with seedings of this plant in
Herbology
(OP25).
scurvy-grass
A potion ingredient used to make Confusing and Befuddlement Draughts (OP18).
Any of one of several sea-coast plants with four-petalled cross-shaped
white flowers, at one time eaten by sailors to prevent scurvy
(NSOED).
self-fertilising shrubs
Harry and other fifth years had to write
an essay on self-fertilising shrubs for
Professor Sprout
(OP14).
silver lime
A wand wood (Pm).
"This unusual and highly attractive wand wood was greatly in vogue in the nineteenth century," according to Ollivander. Read more on Pottermore.
The silver lime tree is also known as the linden tree. It figures in mythology and lore from many cultures.
snargaluff tree
A rather vicious plant which looks like a gnarled stump until it is disturbed, at which its spiky branches attack. Inside the snargaluff are a number of small pods which, when stabbed, emit wriggling tubers (HBP14). One of these plants grows in the garden by the Lovegoods' house (DH20). Sprout used Snargaluff pods to fight the Death Eaters during the Battle of Hogwarts (DH30).
sneezewort
A potion ingredient used to make Confusing and Befuddlement Draughts (OP18).
A kind of yarrow, the powdered leaves of which are said to cause
sneezing (NSOED).
Resources on the Web:
Culpepper Complete Herbal
Herbal by William Turner, 1568
A Modern Herbal by Mrs. Grieve, 1931
sopophorous bean
An ingredient in the Draught of Living Death (HBP9).
sopor = L. deep sleep
spruce
A wand wood (Pm).
Ollivander writes that a spruce wand "requires a firm hand, because it often appears to have its own ideas about what magic it ought to be called upon to produce." Read more on Pottermore.
sycamore
A wand wood (Pm).
Ollivander writes that a "sycamore makes a questing wand, eager for new experience ." Read more on Pottermore.
umbrella-sized flowers
Hanging from the ceiling of greenhouse 3 (CS6).
Valerian roots/sprigs
An ingredient in the Draught of Living Death (HBP9), Sleeping Draughts (Pm), and Forgetfulness Potions (Pm).
In herbal lore, valerian is used as a sedative and a sleep aid.
Venomous Tentacula
Spiky, dark red - teething, reaches out vines toward people
(CS6).
The twins bought seeds of this plant
from Mundungus Fletcher for use
in their Wheezes
(OP9). Eating aVenomous Tetacula will turn a person's skin purple (FW). The bite of the Venomous Tentacula can be fatal. Minerva McGonagall's husband Elphinstone Urquart died of such a bite three years after they were married (Pm).
vine
A wand wood (Pm).
Ollivander writes that a vine wood was first used for wands by the druids. Read more on Pottermore.
walnut
A wand wood (Pm). Bellatrix had a wand which was made of walnut with a core of dragon heartstring (DH24).
Ollivander writes that "(w)alnut wands are often found in the hands of magical innovators and inventors ..." Read more on Pottermore.
JKR has said that if she had a wand,
it would be walnut with a phoenix feather core (CR).
willow
A species of tree that qualifies as a
"wand tree", in that its wood
can be used in the making of wands. Ron's new wand (received in 1994) was willow and unicorn hair (PA4). Lily Potter's wand was made of willow (PS5). (Also JKR-W1).
Ollivander writes that many witches and wizards are attracted to willow wands by their handsome appearance and well-founded reputation for enabling advanced, non-verbal magic ..." Read more on Pottermore.
Whomping
Willow
A species superficially resembling the willow, this large, violent tree
attacks anyone who gets too close
(CS5,
PA).
wolfsbane
See aconite.
wormwood
A potion ingredient, used in the creation of the Draught of the Living Death (PS8). (Also JKR-W3).
yew
A species of tree that qualifies as a
"wand tree", in that its wood
can be used in the making of wands.
Tom Riddle's wand was made of yew with a phoenix feather core
(PS5). Yew trees grow in the churchyard at
Little Hangleton (GF32). Yew trees grow in parts of the
Forbidden Forest. In a nice bit
of foreshadowing, Harry noticed them in
the clearing where Hagrid first taught
the fifth years about thestrals (OP21).
Ollivander writes that "(w)here wizards have been buried with wands of yew, the wand generally sprouts into a tree guarding the dead owner’s grave." Read more on Pottermore.
Yew trees
are symbolic of death and resurrection - the wood is particularly resistant
to rotting - and were once a traditional feature of churchyards.
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