From Deseret News archives:
Many 'Harry Potter' plants thrive in Utah
That being said, I have been intrigued with the magical (or is that medicinal?) plants that inhabit J.K. Rowling's magical world. So where does reality end and fantasy begin?
Many of the plants mentioned in the "Harry Potter" books are common in our area. If you are anxious to try your Hogwarts wizard spells, local nurseries will have monkshood, dittany and wormwood and with a little effort you can find knotgrass, fluxweed, mandrakes and belladonna.
As for the herbs in Rowling's books, she has said in various interviews that she referenced a book written by Nicholas Culpepper more than three and a half centuries ago.
J.K. Rowling's magical world aside, herbs have been a part of most civilizations for millennia. The first written record of herb usage is from the Sumerian culture more than 5,000 years ago. The Bible mentions use of bitter herbs, caraway, vetch, rye and even mandrake, a prominent herb in the "Harry Potter" series.
The word herb is from the Latin "herba." Originally, the word referred to only non-woody plants, but today it means any plant part including flowers, seeds, leaves, stems or roots that have nutritional or medicinal value.
Just a word of caution: Many of the plants mentioned in this column are highly poisonous and are never to be used as foods or other purposes without competent advice.
There are two kinds of belladonna. Atropa belladonna is related to tomatoes and other nightshades. Like most members of the family, it is poisonous.
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