Skip to content

MuggleNet

  • Site
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • History
    • Meet the Team
    • MuggleNet Live!
    • Press
    • Publications
    • Special Projects
    • Volunteer with Us!
    • Year in Review
  • Podcasts
    • Alohomora!
    • Full Circle
    • LITHAPPENS
    • Potterversity
    • Promptly Potter
    • SpeakBeasty
  • Harry Potter
    • Book Quotes
    • Book Series
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Film Series
    • Hogwarts Library
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • Fantastic Beasts
    • Book
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Fantastic Beasts Film Quotes
    • Film Series
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • The Quibbler
    • Owl Post
    • Bathilda’s Notebook
    • The Department of MYTHteries
    • The Dirigible Plum
    • Into the Floo
    • Muggle Studies
    • The Pensieve Papers
    • The Three Broomsticks
    • April Fools’
    • The Quibbler Vault
  • The Daily Prophet
    • Book Trolley
    • Editorials
    • Event Reports
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Features
    • Giveaways
    • Listicles
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • Television Reviews
    • Theater Reviews
    • Wizolympics
  • Muggle World
    • Charity
    • Exhibitions
    • J.K. Rowling
    • MinaLima
    • Quadball
    • Studio Tours
    • Theatrical Play
    • Theme Parks
    • Wizarding World Digital
  • Fans & Fun
    • Crazy Caption Contest
    • Fan Focus
    • Fandom
    • Fandom Sortings
    • Fandom Timeline
    • Fun Lists
    • Games and Trivia
    • GNOMEs
    • Potter DIY
    • Potter Weddings
    • #PotterItForward
    • Rosmerta’s Recipes
    • Song Parodies
    • Wizard Rock
    • Wizarding Wordle
  • Site
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • History
    • Meet the Team
    • MuggleNet Live!
    • Press
    • Publications
    • Special Projects
    • Volunteer with Us!
    • Year in Review
  • Podcasts
    • Alohomora!
    • Full Circle
    • LITHAPPENS
    • Potterversity
    • Promptly Potter
    • SpeakBeasty
  • Harry Potter
    • Book Quotes
    • Book Series
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Film Series
    • Hogwarts Library
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • Fantastic Beasts
    • Book
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Fantastic Beasts Film Quotes
    • Film Series
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • The Quibbler
    • Owl Post
    • Bathilda’s Notebook
    • The Department of MYTHteries
    • The Dirigible Plum
    • Into the Floo
    • Muggle Studies
    • The Pensieve Papers
    • The Three Broomsticks
    • April Fools’
    • The Quibbler Vault
  • The Daily Prophet
    • Book Trolley
    • Editorials
    • Event Reports
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Features
    • Giveaways
    • Listicles
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • Television Reviews
    • Theater Reviews
    • Wizolympics
  • Muggle World
    • Charity
    • Exhibitions
    • J.K. Rowling
    • MinaLima
    • Quadball
    • Studio Tours
    • Theatrical Play
    • Theme Parks
    • Wizarding World Digital
  • Fans & Fun
    • Crazy Caption Contest
    • Fan Focus
    • Fandom
    • Fandom Sortings
    • Fandom Timeline
    • Fun Lists
    • Games and Trivia
    • GNOMEs
    • Potter DIY
    • Potter Weddings
    • #PotterItForward
    • Rosmerta’s Recipes
    • Song Parodies
    • Wizard Rock
    • Wizarding Wordle
  • Listicles / The Daily Prophet

Plants with Professor Longbottom

by Stephanie Bailey · February 29, 2016

Anxiously waiting for me to return to Hogwarts, Herbology Professor Neville Longbottom sent me an owl requesting an immediate visit. Upon my return, he had his list all ready to go and eagerly launched into an explanation of the herbs listed.

 

 

Arka:

Scientifically known as Calotropis gigantean, it is also known as madar, mudar, and yercum. Arka is native to the tropical regions of Africa, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka,   and Thailand. This specific herb is a shrub that could grow up to 4 meters tall. It grows white- or lavender-colored flowers that have a waxy look and feel to them. These flowers have five pointed petals with a “crown” growing from the center that houses the stamens. Growing out of a milky stem are light green, oval-shaped leaves. The root, root-bark, flowers, and leaves are collected for potions. “Arka is commonly used in memory potions and a potion to ease the pain from the Cruciatus Curse,” Professor Longbottom told me. “Madam Pomfrey took to storing that particular potion in my fourth year when Barty Crouch, Jr., masquerading as Alastor Moody, put his classes under the Cruciatus Curse.”

 

 

Echinacea:

Echinacea, or purple coneflowers, are a genus of flowering plants within the daisy family. In total, there are nine different species of Echinacea, which are all found in central and eastern North America. The flowers are large and bloom from early to late summer. Mainly, the roots of this plant are used in potion making. These potions are used for treating venomous bites or wounds. “This plant was used to help heal Ron’s wound after he was bitten by Norbert, Hagrid’s pet dragon. Ron told Madam Pomfrey that he was bitten by a dog,” the Professor said while laughing. “She didn’t believe him, but she didn’t question him.” 

 

 

Mandrake:

Mandrake is the root of the genus Mandragora and can be found growing in the region of the Mediterranean. Oftentimes, the plant itself is referred to as a mandrake as well. This plant lives for two years before dying. It has almost no stem and very long roots. These roots also have a tendency to resemble a human figure, which is why they have been used in superstitious practices for years. While the leaves vary in size and shape, they are usually no larger than 45 centimeters in an elliptical shape. “This plant is best known for returning those who are Petrified to their original state,” Professor Longbottom told me. “However, they are also believed to have protective powers. Concerned parents often ask me to place some in their child’s nightstand.”

 

 

Asafetida:

Extracted from the root of different species of Ferula, asafetida is used in cough potions and the Befuddlement Draught. The plant from which asafetida is collected grows between 1 and 1.5 meters tall and is native to the desert of Iran and the mountains of Afghanistan. India is the country that cultivates it the most, however. “The Potions teacher likes to have his students brew and test the effects of a correctly brewed Befuddlement Draught. The students get a kick out of watching each other and hearing what they did under the effects of the potion.”

 

With a promise that I would be back soon, Professor Longbottom and I parted ways. My next visit to Hogwarts can’t come soon enough!

Social:

  • Next story Why We Should All Be a Little More Like Lee Jordan
  • Previous story “Sometimes We Sort Too Soon”: My Pottermore House Changed

MuggleNet Archive

Important Dates

May 2025

Mon, May 12

Domhnall Gleeson's birthday
Recurs yearly

Bill Weasley (DH1, DH2)

Tue, May 13

Robert Pattinson's birthday
Recurs yearly

Cedric Diggory

Samantha Morton's birthday
Recurs yearly

Mary Lou Barebone

Zoë Wanamaker's birthday
Recurs yearly

Madam Hooch

Thu, May 15

Pomona Sprout's birthday
Recurs yearly

Fri, May 16

Stanislav Yanevski's birthday
Recurs yearly

Viktor Krum

Sun, May 18

Miriam Margolyes's birthday
Recurs yearly

Pomona Sprout

MuggleNet podcasts are sponsored in part by Secretlab.

Thanks to its research-backed ergonomic design, including a proprietary 4-way adaptive lumbar support system, the Secretlab TITAN Evo Harry Potter Edition will comfortably support you even when you’re up to no good.

Did You Know

Dementors don’t breed but grow, like fungus, where there is decay.

Potter History

November 12, 2013 – Wonderbook: Book of Potions is released for PlayStation 3 in North America.

Potter Quote

“This little beauty’s taught us more than all the teachers in this school.”

MuggleNet is an unofficial Harry Potter fansite.
Please email us if you have any questions or concerns.
© 1999–2025 MuggleNet.com. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | COPPA Policy | Terms of Use | Feedback


MuggleNet is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Bookshop.org's affiliate program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and bookshop.org.