Culture factsheet
Harry Potter Plants
British wild plants and trees are an important element of the Harry
Potter novels. They provide setting, such as the oaks of the
Forbidden Forest and the Whumping Willow. The woods of
different wands reflect the character of their magicians and the
potions use many wild plants that also grow in Britain. Many of
these plants and trees have a long cultural tradition in Britain as
protective or useful plants.
Elder (Sambucus nigra) – the elder wand is a central element of
the novels and elder has a complex reputation both good and bad
in Britain and Ireland. Its flowers and berries are used for cordial
wine and jam but it is also associated with fairies and witches
and evil influence. It was said that rubbing the juice of elder
bark on your eyelids under an elder would enable you to see the
fairy host on Halloween.
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) – Draco Malfoys wand is made
of hawthorn which also has a mixed reputation of being both
protective and a tree of evil influence. It was often planted
near houses for protection, and found near holy wells, but the
fairies were supposed to bring harm to anyone who interfered
with the fairy thorn. The Glastonbury thorn was supposedly
planted by Joseph of Aramathea and is reputed to flower in
mid-winter.
Oak
(Quercus species) – Hagrid has a wand of oak
and is one of most revered, useful and best
loved of British and Irish trees. It is linked to
Thunder Gods (e.g. Zeus, Jupiter, Thor) in
many mythologies. The Romans said it was
revered by British Druids and in the early Irish
legal system it was one of the ‘Nobles of the
Wood’
Holly (Ilex aquifolia) – Harry’s wand is made from holly and it is a tree
particularly associated with protection from evil spirits. It is considered bad
luck to chop down a holly tree especially if it is on your land. On New Years
Eve in Scotland it was a custom for boys to beat each other with the
branches and each drop of blood spilt mean another good year of life.
There is a Breton folk tale (quoted in Mac Coitir 2003) where a man is
able to enter the lands of the dead and return alive by carrying a holly
branch dipped in holy water.
Yew (Taxus baccata) – Voldemort wand is made from yew. Yew trees
can live for thousands of years and are often found in churchyards. The
oldest artefact in Britain was a yew lance tip found near Clacton-onSea in 1911, it was 150,000 years old. The medieval English long bows
were made of yew and the Royal Archers in Scotland still carry yew
bows. The oldest trees in Britain and Ireland are all yews including
the Fortingale Yew which is at least 2000 years old. Yew is now used
as the base for the modern cancer drug Taxol.
Daisy (Bellis perennis) – the chopped roots of daisy were used to
make Shrinking Solution. Daisy was formerly used as a wound herb
and this is one explanation of its scientific name ‘Bellis’ (relating
to war). Its name comes from ‘Day’s Eye’ because its flower
opens in sunlight and closes when it is dull or dark. It has also
been used in heraldry and Chaucer called it the fairest of
flowers.
Aconite/Wolfbane (Aconitum napellus) was used by Snape to
make wolfsbane potion for Lupin. It has long been used as a
poison for humans and wolves. It was said in Greek legend to
have been formed from the spittle from Cerberus’s mouth
when Hercules dragged him to the upper world.
Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) - part of the students kit at
Hogwarts for herbal lessons. Belladonna is a powerful poison
and is associated with witches in Britain. In the past it was
used to dilute women’s pupils to make them more attractive
which gave it its name belladonna (beautiful woman).
Sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica)–
sneezewort was used in Confusing and
Befuddlement Draughts. This beautiful
grassland plant was formerly used a snuff and
its sharp smell was supposed to provoke
sneezing. It is closely related to the medicinal
plant yarrow (Achillea millifolium) which was
named for the Greek hero Achilles.
There are some plants that aren’t in the Harry Potter novels but could be
linked to the characters. For example Adders Tongue Fern (Ophioglossum
vulgatum) which could be linked to Harry and Voldemort’s ability to speak
parseltongue. Early and late spider orchid (Ophrys sphegodes & Ophrys
fuciflora) could be linked to Ron Weasley’s fear of spiders. Lady’s
Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) was called the alchemist’s plant because
the dew from its leaves was believed to be one of the ingredients of the
Philosopher’s Stone.
References and online resources:
Eland S Plant Lives Website (www.plantlives.com)
Harry Potter lexicon (http://www.hp-lexicon.org/magic/
herbology.html)
Mabey R. 1996, Flora Britannica
Mac Coitir N. & Langrishe G., 2006, Irish Wild Plants – Myths,
Legends and Folklore
Mac Coitir N. & Langrishe G. 2003, Irish Trees – Myths, Legends and
Folklore
Milliken W. & Bridgewater S., 2004, Flora Celtica
Stokes J., Rodger D., Miles A., Parker E. 2004 The Heritage Trees
of Britain and Northern Ireland
Some of the plants in the Harry Potter Novels which are
native or naturalised in Britain
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) - Ron Weasley’s first wand
Aconite (Wolf’s Bane) (Aconitum napellus) - Snape makes wolfsbane
potion for Lupin
Asphodel (the bog asphodel is native to Britain) (Narthecium
ossifragum) - Powdered Root used in the Draught of Living Death
Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) - Essence of belladonna is part of a
student’s standard potion making kit
Cherry (Prunus cerasus) - Essence of belladonna is part of a student’s
standard potion making kit
Chestnut (Castanea sativa) - Peter Pettigrew’s wand
Daisy (Bellis perennis) - Chopped roots used in
Shrinking Solution
Elm (Ulmus species) - Lucius Malfoy’s Wand
Elder (Sambucus nigra) - Albus Dumbledore’s Wand
Hellebore (Helleborus species) - Used in Draught of Peace
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) - Draco Malfoy’s wand
Holly (Ilex aquifolia) - Harry Potter’s Wand
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) - Victor Krum’s wand
Knotgrass (Polygonum species) - Used in Polyjuice Potion
Lovage (Levisticum officinale) - Used to make Confusing and Befuddlement
Draughts
Mallowsweet (there is a wild mallow in Britain) (Malva sylvestris) - Centaurs
burn this, observing the fumes and flames to refine the results of their
stargazing
Maple (Acer species) - Wand tree – its wood can be used in the making of
wands – tried by Harry at Ollivander’s in first book
Nettle (Urtica dioica) - Used in boil-cure potion. Gathered in Queerditch
Marsh for nettle tea
Oak (Quercus species) - Hagrid’s wand is made of oak; oak grows in the
forbidden forest
Rosewood (Rosa species) - Fleur Delacour’s wand is made of rosewood
Sage (Salvia officinalis) - Centaurs burn this, observing the fumes and
flames to refine the results of their stargazing
Scurvy-grass (Cochlearia species) - Used in Confusing and
Befuddlement Draughts
Sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica) - Used in Confusing and
Befuddlement Draughts
Valerian Roots (Valeriana officinalis) - Used in draft of Living Dead
Walnut (Juglans regia) - Bellatrix Lestrange’s wand
Willow (Salix species) - Lilly Potter’s Wand; Ron
Weasley’s new wand
Wormwood (Artemisia species) - Used in draft of
Living Dead
Yew (Taxus baccata) - Tom Riddle/Voldemort’s Wand is made of Yew; Yew trees in the
churchyard at Little Hangleton; Yew trees grow in the forbidden forest
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