Care and Use in Potions

• each plant has its own unique requirements and special qualities. 
• example, Morphanous Cacti won't grow next to an ocean and Aquagus Root won't grow in the desert
• It is offensive to ask a Herbologist "why isn't my plant growing?"

When caring for a plant, consider water, sunlight, type of soil, and depth the seed must be planted.

Repotting

• plants enjoy new pots and a larger pot will boost the plant's confidence
• their diet may change
• example, flesh eating plants double their intake while Gaviat roots only need 1/3rd of the grass
• water needed will increase or decrease

Habitats are controversial. Many plants have adapted to new habitats and created new strains of plants. The movement of plants disrupts the life cycle in that habitat. Sunlight, water,and temperature determine an acceptable habitat. 

Life span of a plant can range from 3-5,000 years, with trees living the longest. Cacti and guapo have long lives as well. 

Dreamless Sleep potion includes moonstone (a piece of dragon egg that causes drowsiness) and starpuffs (a plant that has hypnotic properties). The starpuff makes it dreamless.  

Starpuffs can be identified by their sparkling petals and shimmering leaves.

Habitat is a topic of controversy, and the strains of changing lands may disrupt the life cycles.

Draught of Living Death has wormwood and powdered root of asphodel.

Major Plant ingredients include:

• mistletoe berries
• wolfsbane/monkshood/aconite
• valerian sprigs (also used in sleeping potions)
• leaping toadstools
• knots grass
• peppermint
• root of aconite
• poppy heads
• shrivelfigs (used in shrinking potions)
• rose thorns
• rose oil

Reasons for plants in potions

• they add scent in perfumes
• add freshness/naturality to beauty potions
• medicinal use is based on temperament, toxicity, and other properties. 

Forgetfulness potion contains mistletoe berries (a hallucinogen) and valerian sprigs (a sedative). 

Asphodel/Royal Staff

• Lily family, Draught of living death, wiggenweld potion

Fluxweed

• mustard family, healing properties, picked at a full moon for polyjuice potion (16 scruples needed)

Lovage

• similar to celery, used in cooking, facilitates digestion, confusing and befuddlement draughts

Motherwort

• mint family, healing properties, treats mad dog bites

Nettle/Stinging Nettle/Burn Hazel

• use fresh for Boil-cure potion, use dried for Herbicide potion, also used in nettle wine, nettle tea, and soup

Nux Myristica

• Nutmeg, used for cooking

Peppermint

• counters side effects in Elixir to induce euphoria, flavor sweets, and a known flavor in Bettie Bott's Every Flavor Beans

Silverweed

• Rose family, yellow in color

Snakeweed

• used in snakewood tea