OWL
Hello and welcome to your Herbology OWL! This year we will be working in Greenhouses Five and Six. Instead of weekly assignments you will have four bi-weekly tasks to complete. All tasks are due at the end of their two week allotment though extensions are available should the need arise.
WEEK 1 & 2
Task 1: The Versatility of Plants
Over the past few years studying Herbology you have learned that plants have a variety of uses in both the magical and non-magical worlds. These uses can, among other things, be culinary, healing, or as potion ingredients. Most plants have multiple uses, such as dittany, which is used as a healing plant and in some potions, and mint, which is used as a healing plant, a potion ingredient and in food preparation. Some plants, such as mistletoe can also be used for decorative purposes, mainly at Christmas time, and features prominently in various folklore.
For this task, I would like you to choose three plants that are not taught in previous years. Each plant must fall into one of the three main categories mentioned above (culinary, healing, potion ingredient).
For each of the three plants you choose I want you to do some research and gather the following information:
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A description of the plant
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Its native range and, if possible, preferred growing environment
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The part (or parts) that are used and what they are used for
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How the plant is harvested/prepared for culinary use (if applicable)
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What symptoms or illnesses the plant treats (if applicable)
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What potion or potions the plant is used in and why you think it is used (if applicable)
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Optional: A short history of how the plant has been used or perceived by muggles and/or magic folk through the ages
Examples of plants you might choose to use include: lemon balm, hemlock, rose, holly, dandelions, hyssop, hellebore, marshmallow, belladonna, licorice, moonseed, yarrow, etc...
You may use any of the above examples or choose others if you prefer. For those wondering how long (or short) I expect this task should be, 300 to 400 words is sufficient.
The point value for this task is 60 (20 points per plant). The task is due by the end of Week 2.
WEEK 3 & 4
Task 2: Mimbulus Mimbletonia
This week we'll be taking a closer look at the mimbulus mimbletonia. This fascinating plant is native to certain regions of the Middle East and is rather rare. Thanks to the ingenuity of Mr Neville Longbottom, we now have several of these plants growing in Greenhouse Five.
Mimbulus mimbletonia are small, grey colored succulent plants that greatly resemble cacti, but instead of having thorns they have numerous boils. As succulents, these plant do not need very much water to thrive, but they do require plenty of warmth and sunlight. You'll find that mimbulus mimbletonia have the ability to squirm and pulsate slightly.
The boils of the mimbulus mimbletonia give the plant a very unique defence mechanism: when poked, a green, foul smelling liquid called stinksap will squirt from the boils, covering everything within range. Luckily stinksap isn't toxic; it can be used to heal sick magical creatures and an extract taken from the stinksap has been used in a best-selling toothpaste.
Over the next two weeks I would like you to care for a mimbulus mimbletonia. If you do a good job you'll find your mimbulus mimbletonia will do something interesting, that I have not mentioned in the lesson, when touched. At some point during these two weeks I would like you to collect a few bottles of the stinksap. This will require some preparation on your part as I do not want the stinksap to come into contact with anything that could contaminate it. Please bear in mind that, unlike collecting bubotuber pus, which can be done by squeezing one pustule at a time, a mimbulus mimbletonia will release stinksap from all its boils at once. So good luck and have fun with that!
This task is worth 40 points and is due by the end of Week 4.
Week 5 & 6
Task 3: Fanged Geraniums and Chinese Chomping Cabbages
For the final two weeks we'll be studying two plants, fanged geraniums and Chinese chomping cabbages. Not much is known canonically about these two plants so to answer some of the questions below you should research their mundane counterparts.
A: Questions on Fanged Geraniums
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Give me a general description of a fanged geranium.
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What is the native range and growing requirements for fanged geraniums?
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What are the fangs used for?
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What famous Muggle event is thought to have occurred because of an argument over fanged geraniums?
B: Questions on Chinese Chomping Cabbages
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Give me a general description of a Chinese chomping cabbage, including its most likely growing requirements.
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Name one thing that this cabbage likes to eat and speculate two other things it may enjoy.
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In what potion is a Chinese chomping cabbage used?
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Do you think this cabbage is edible? Why or why not?
C: Practical
Greenhouse Five houses both fanged geraniums and Chinese chomping cabbages. I would like you to tend them for a couple days as they, er, may or may not have been neglected for awhile... Please let me know what condition you found them in and what you did to help. Judging by their before and after reactions, do you think the plants were grateful for your care?
Each part of this task is worth 20 points and is due by the end of week 6.
Week 7 & 8
Task 4: Snargaluffs
For your final task this year we'll be venturing into Greenhouse Six to study snargaluffs. These are the most dangerous plants you'll be studying this year, hence why I've left them for last. They're not usually deadly, but they can leave you severely injured if you fail to recognize them as they do have a taste for flesh.
Snargaluffs grow all across Great Britain and look like the gnarled stumps of chopped down trees. While they appear harmless enough, snargaluffs are actually concealing long, thorny bramble-like vines that will attack if you get too close. Unfortunately, getting close is necessary for harvesting snargaluff pods which are located in a deep cavity that only reveals itself once the vines are out. The green, pulsating pods are roughly the size of grapefruit and contain wriggling pale green tubers.
Your task over the next two weeks is an interactive practical and will take place in the Greenhouse forum on the Hogwarts Grounds. You should have received the password by the start of week 7, but if you haven't please message me.
This task is worth 40 points and is due by the end of week 8.
