Neville walked the first and second year students into Greenhouse Number three. For the first years this would be a new experience while the seconds were getting used to the larger of the Greenhouses and the various plants it housed. Neville had debated bringing the students into his own private greenhouse for the purpose of their test but decided that the current house held everything they would need and he was a little weary about letting some of the more unruly students near his personal collection.

At the front of the class where he lined up the students a garden trolley was stacked with rolled parchments - one for each student - and was the only indication of the work they'd be doing. Neville situated himself facing the students in front of the class with his back to the greenhouse proper. He wrung his hand together, currently wrapped in a well worn pair of dragon hide gloves and took a deep breath, "Welcome to Greenhouse three." He indicated the mass of plants behind him, "For you second years, by now you're becoming rather familiar with this place and the plants it stores, for our younger students, this should be the first time you've been in here." He shot a pointed glance to the more curious of the Gyrffindors and the devious amoungst the Slytherins.

"Today we will be having a scavenger hunt. Each of you will receive a roll of parchment which will ask you to find and identify several different plants that should be familiar to you by now. There may also be additional questions to test your knowledge of said plants." He moved towards the trolley and started handing out the rolls of parchment, "Each roll has been magically sealed and charmed. There are several different anti cheating spells on them as well as a timer. You have one hour to complete the hunt, after that the parchment will no longer accept any ink and you'll be left with the answers you've given."

"You may work in groups or alone but bear in mind, just because your neighbour has all the answers first, doesn't mean they're right." He smirked a little and then motioned to the mix of plants ahead of them, the Greenhouse itself had obviously been rearranged in an almost hap hazard way to ensure that the students would have to use their knowledge of the plants to finish their test rather than their knowledge of the room, "You may begin."

Herbology Midterm Scavenger Hunt First and Second Years

1. Find, identify and describe a tree sapling that is ideal for Wand Wood (Currently present Cherry, Hawthorne, Maple, and Yew)
What type of magic is this wood adept at?

2.  Find, identify and describe a plant used for it's natural defense mechanisms (Currently present Devil's Snare, Snargaluff and Venomous Tentacula)
Why is this plant good for defenses?

3. Find, identify and describe a plant that is harvested for potion making (currently present Bubotuber, Dittany, Monkshood and Scorcha's Beard)
Which potion is this plant commonly harvested for?

4. Find, identify and describe a plant that is edible (currently present Black Walnut, Ginger, Mint, and Peruvian Sunbell)
In what dishes, treats or prepared foods are these plants typical found?

5. Find, identify and describe a plant that is poisonous (currently present Angel's Trumpet, Arnica, Belladonna, and Bloodroot)
How is this plant poisonous - through touch or ingestion?

6. Find, identify and describe a plant that is commonly used for decoration (currently present Agapanthus, Flitterbloom, Foxglove and Hydrangea)
Does this plant have any other use in the magical world? If so what use does it have?

7. Find, identify and describe a plant that emits noise (currently present Honking Daffodil, Mandrake, Raspberry and Screechsnap)
Does this noise have any adverse effects?

8. Find, identify and describe a plant that appears to have some sentience (currently present Cobra Lily, Mandrake, and Venomous Tentacula)
Why is this plant considered to have some level of sentience?

9. Find, identify and describe a plant that is found primarily in water (currently present Gillyweed, Kelp, Lily Pad, and  Sea Lavender)
Within what type of body of water is this plant often found?

10.  Find, identify and describe a magical fruit (currently present Coconut Dynamite, Crazyberry, and Raspberry)
What makes this plant different from it's muggle counterpart?

---

Resources: Herbology Plant Guide Plants - HP Wiki

Please answer the questions as elaborately or as simply as you like or as you feel you character would. Feel free to pick any of the plants listed for each question, if you cannot find a description for a particular plant feel free to make something up. Over all have fun with it.

Blossom looked at the list of questions, his eyes widening.  One hour, ten questions... that's six minuted each.  Don't really have time for neatness here or elaborate answers.  It's a good thing I could answer a lot of these before I got here.

A few of the answers could be duplicated but that would only save him a little time.  He'd need to hurry if he wanted to get the entire test done before time ran out and his quill stopped working.


1. Find, identify and describe a tree sapling that is ideal for Wand Wood
What type of magic is this wood adept at?

Yew - small- to medium-sized evergreen
Describe -thin, scaly brown bark
-flat, dark green needles for leaves
-bright red seeds (outer part of seed edible - leaves are poisonous)
Magic - good for dark magic

2.  Find, identify and describe a plant used for it's natural defense mechanisms
Why is this plant good for defenses?

Devil's Snare
Describe -looks like Flitterbloom sort of
-mass of soft, springy tendrils and vines
Good for defense -grows in dark damp areas (light kills it)
-magically constricts when touched(tighter if you struggle)

3. Find, identify and describe a plant that is harvested for potion making
Which potion is this plant commonly harvested for?

Bubotuber
Describe -looks like big black slug
Harvested - pus (needs to be squeezed out)

4. Find, identify and describe a plant that is edible
In what dishes, treats or prepared foods are these plants typical found?

Ginger
Describe -clusters of white & pink buds that bloom into yellow flowers
-reed-like plant leafy stems (3-4 feet tall)
-asymmetrical root
Used in - ginger ale
-stomach remedies
-pickled ginger (suchi)
-cookies (gingerbread, ginger snaps)

5. Find, identify and describe a plant that is poisonous
How is this plant poisonous - through touch or ingestion?

Belladonna/Nightshade
Describe -fleshy root
-4 feet tall with 7 inch oval leaves
-bell shaped flowers (purple with green)
-seed (green berries that turn black) -sweet
How Toxic - ingestion (all parts -root worst)

6. Find, identify and describe a plant that is commonly used for decoration
Does this plant have any other use in the magical world? If so what use does it have?

Foxglove
Describe- flowering stem (3-6 feet)
-hanging tube/trumpet shaped flowers (purple to grey)
-seed capsule (many tiny seeds)
Other Use- POISONOUS (used as heart medication)
-ingredient in Pumpkinhead potion

7. Find, identify and describe a plant that emits noise
Does this noise have any adverse effects?

Mandrake/Mandragora
Description-root looks like baby (looks older as plant ages)
-screams loudly when pulled out of ground
Affect of noise - when young can stun (earmuffs prevent) older mandrake can kill with scream

8. Find, identify and describe a plant that appears to have some sentience
Why is this plant considered to have some level of sentience?

Mandrake/Mandragora
Description-root looks like baby (looks older as plant ages)
Why sentient?- has parties when it grows older (can be moody and secretive) and when mature tries to move into each other’s pots


9. Find, identify and describe a plant that is found primarily in water
Within what type of body of water is this plant often found?

Kelp
Description-long flat leaves
-gas filled flotation bladders at base of leaves
-can grow to 200+ feet long
-forms underwater forests
-used in fertilizer potions
Water-grows in salt water (oceans)

10.  Find, identify and describe a magical fruit
What makes this plant different from it's muggle counterpart?

Raspberry
Description- long canes (5 foot average) with tiny thorns
-sawtoothed leaves (not sharp)
-white flowers
-seed is edible (looks like small cluster of beads - starts green but goes red when ripe
Difference- Magical raspberries make rude noises when picked.

Blossom dotted his final 'i' and sighed.  He was done.  He'd aced it.  There were still a few minutes left so he read through it, admiring his answers.  His mouth went dry when he realized he'd misread a question.

It's POTION not PORTION. I hope I have enough time to correct it....   He reached for the quill again, spilled his ink pot and frantically tried to get enough ink on the end of the quill to change his answer.

used to make acne treal

His quill stopped working. 

He dipped it again in the spilled ink but when he tried, it left no mark on the parchment.  He couldn't even finish crossing the 't'.  The only thing he could do was hand in the parchment, clean up the mess he'd made and hope professor Longbottom understood what he had been trying to write.

By the time the exam had been explained and the answer parchments had been handed out, Heliotrope acclimated to the warmth of the greenhouse from the cold snowy weather outside. Obderedria practically had to drag her in the door during the last steps. She watched the water trickle down the heated panes of glass as the snow on the roof melted until she was nudged on the side by her polka-dotted-haired roommate.

"Professor Longbottom says we could work in groups if we want," Obderedria said.

"Okay."

"Do you think Philo might want to join?"

"Okay."

Obderedria blinked. "Are you really sure or am I being a bother again? You know you don't have to do anything with me, Helio, if you want to work on your own answers that's fine too. I understand."

"It is fine," Heliotrope said as she looked to the first question on the exam. Obderedria had found Philo and they conversed in the background.

"Philo, did you want to--?"

"Sure!"

"I hadn't even asked yet."

The Ravenclaw rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry. Um, were you going to ask about working in a group again?"

"I don't see why not," Obderedria began. "We work well enough together--hey, wait up Helio!"

Heliotrope walked around the twisting disorganized tables covered with plants, occasionally kicking a broken segment of clay pot. She stopped in front of a grove of different trees. The other Hufflepuff and the Ravenclaw in the group followed up behind.

"Right." Philo read the top of his parchment as well. "Those are the trees. How do you even tell if the wood is wand quality?"

"There's supposed to be bowtruckles in them," said Obderedria. "At least I think it's bowtruckles--according to Mr. Ollivander when he repaired my wand--or something, whatever they are called like look like gnomes made out of sticks."

"Wait," said Philo, "Ollivander fixed your wand?"

"You hadn't noticed? Here." Obderedria pulled out her wand to display. "He had to strip way part of my original wand and add a handle of larch, this was--Helio! I don't think you can climb those trees!"

Heliotrope was standing on the lip of the pot that housed one sapling, webbed hands shaking the inner branches. The search came up negative. "There are not any gnomes made out of sticks in this one."

"Maybe it's figurative," Philo said. "As in, find a tree that could have wand quality wood and then figure out what type of personality that would lend to a wand. Err, no thank you Heliotrope."

When Heliotrope's webbed hand was cupped it created a natural bowl. Her hand was currently filled with cherries found on the hunt for bowtruckles.

"Can we eat in the exam?" Obderedria asked. "Okay, maybe just a few. But don't pick too much or Professor Longbottom might not like it." She popped a few into her mouth. "You don't know what you're missing Philo."

"Yeah I do, it's a cherry." Philo stifled a dry heave. "Probably the same one that we had to work with in our first year final."

"That's right, you didn't keep yours. My peach tree is taller than me now--well, it was always taller because it was in a big pot but you know, the trunk is now taller than me--remind me to give you a peach the next time it fruits. Too bad I don't know if peach could be a wand wood or not. How did your plum tree fare out Helio?

"It is at home in Loch Lomond after I swam home across the ocean." Heliotrope said.

"Wait, you swam home?" The disbelief was plain on Philo's face. "With a tree? Shouldn't the salt water have killed it? Nevermind." He put quill to parchment. "We should get to answering these questions. And I really don't want to write about Cherry."

"I remember hearing about Cherry wood," Obderedria said. "We don't have to have the same answers if we're not sure about it. Did you want to look at Maple Heliotrope?"

"What is maple? We call it something different underwater."

"This one." Obderedria pointed. "You know, like maple syrup on pancakes."

"I just know this out of a book," Philo said as he scribbled down facts about Hawthorne.

1. Find, identify and describe a tree sapling that is ideal for Wand Wood. What type of magic is this wood adept at?

Hawthorn; genus Crataegus; Rose family. A small thorny shrub-like tree that can bare small red fruits. Its wood makes a contradictory wand capable of both beneficial healing magic and violent curses, a complexity that only fits with people that are similarly complex.

1. Find, identify and describe a tree sapling that is ideal for Wand Wood. What type of magic is this wood adept at?

Cherry is named for the small pitted fruits, also called cherries that they bare, and have very beautiful blossoms. But Cherry wood makes for very powerful wands, according to Mr. Ollivander, but power that can be difficult to understand.

1. Find, identify and describe a tree sapling that is ideal for Wand Wood. What type of magic is this wood adept at?

MAPLE IS A TREE THAT HAS PANCAKE SYRUP TASTING SAP AND LEAVES WITH FIVE POINTS LIKE A HAND WITHOUT WEBBING. WIZARDS THAT HAVE COME TO MY COLONY OF LOCH LOMOND TO VACATION AND THEN TRAVEL ELSEWHERE USUALLY SAY THEY HAVE WANDS MADE OF MAPLE. A MAPLE WAND COULD BE STICKY IF YOU DO NOT WIPE THE SYRUP OFF FIRST.

"I feel like we're not getting much done," Obderedria said after everyone had jotted down an answer. "Let's hurry up and answer the next question."

"Right." Philo was reading as he walked, not paying attention. "A plant with natural defense mechanisms--!" From under the shady cover of a table a vine of Devil's Snare caught Philo on the leg. He tripped, his hands flung out to brace himself against a table but unfortunately his quill hand punctured the skin of a plant that looked like a cactus but covered in boils instead of spines. It squirted foul smelling ink all over him. "Mimbulus Mimbletonia," he muttered on the floor.

"Oh no! Are you okay Philo?" Obderedria cast a Lumos that glowed orange, pointing the light towards the Devil's Snare that backed off further into it's dim habitat, releasing Philo. "We need to wash the gunk off him. Does anyone know Scourgify?"

"Wash off?" Heliotrope asked. And water flowered from her wand[1] spraying at Philo like a hose.

"*Glub* That's enough! I'm washed off now!"

"I can not remember how to stop it," Heliotrope said as Philo continued to get sprayed.

"Maybe--just--" Obderedria had to pry the wand from Helio's hand, a more difficult task than anticipated. Once the wand left contact with the half-mer's skin the water dribbled to a small stream and then stopped. Obderedria knew one way to dry Philo off. "Oooh, I hope I don't microwave you like that time I did Helio!"[2]

"What??"

"Siccari!" And Philo was heated up to a clothes drying temperature before the warmth dissipated when Obderedria ended the spell.

"Thanks..." Philo wearily got to his feet. At least his test had survived. "We should really write down--" "Yes," Obderedria cut in, "answers."

2.  Find, identify and describe a plant used for it's natural defense mechanisms. Why is this plant good for defenses?

Mimbulus Mimbletonia originates from Assyria. It looks like a boil covered cactus. When disturbed, it sprays a foul smelling ink over predators.

2.  Find, identify and describe a plant used for it's natural defense mechanisms. Why is this plant good for defenses?

Devil's Snare likes dark damp places. It's tentacles vines can strangle people making it hard to get away but it doesn't like bright sunlight.

2.  Find, identify and describe a plant used for it's natural defense mechanisms. Why is this plant good for defenses?

WHEN I WAS TRAVELING I ONCE TRIED TO SIT ON A STUMP BUT IT TRIED TO STRANGLE ME WITH THORNY BRANCHES. LATER THE WIZARDS TOLE ME IT WAS A SNARGALUFF. I SEE A SIMILAR LOOKING STUMP OVER THERE AND ALTHOUGH PEOPLE THINK I AM STUPID I AM NOT STUPID TO SIT ON ANOTHER STUMP LIKE THAT ONE AGAIN.

"Continuing on," said Philo, "a plant used for Potion making."

"Gillyweed," Heliotrope said automatically.

Philo raised his eyebrows. "Really? I thought you just had to eat Gillyweed raw for it's effects to work."

"Wizards have Gillywater."

"That's a beverage though."

"Is it not something that is drunk like a potion?"

"Alright, if that's your answer, I'm finding something else."

3. Find, identify and describe a plant that is harvested for potion making. Which potion is this plant commonly harvested for?

Monkshood, also known as Aconite or Wolfsbane, is an important ingredient in the Wolfsbane Potion that lets werewolves keep their mind during transformations. As long as a werewolf has taken their potion I don't mind them well not really but-------

3. Find, identify and describe a plant that is harvested for potion making. Which potion is this plant commonly harvested for?

Bubotubers are not like potatoes even though you might think so given the word 'tuber' in there but they instead look like a sea cucumber, which is not a cucumber but something like a sea slug, that squirts out yellow pus that is not toothpaste or frosting even though it squeezes out like that, but anyways the pus is used for skin problems like ACME acne, zits and pimples and stuff.

3. Find, identify and describe a plant that is harvested for potion making. Which potion is this plant commonly harvested for?

GILLYWEED. IT IS USED TO MAKE GILLYWATER, WHICH DOES NOT LAST AS LONG AS A PIECE OF GILLYWEED BUT IT IS EASIER TO KEEP. IT IS ALSO A BEVERAGE.

---

((OOC: Test progression 1/3; to be continued in future posts. Cleared with Amberlee))

1.	It has happened before: Death From Above - May 6
2.	Opening Feast - Aug 30

Jack walked into the green house, clearly seeing everything rearranged knew that this was probably a test or midterm. After hearing most of the professors instructions he looked at the plants behind the professor. "This will be fun!!" was all he could think.

"You may work in groups or alone but bear in mind, just because your neighbor has all the answers first, doesn't mean they're right."

Immediately He craned his neck around to everyone. He saw everyone doing the same. Many faces lit up as each person looked to their partner(s) and grew a smile. After hearing the professor say "You may begin" Jack stood there, letting the crowd push past him until he was able to make a straight line up to Alice.

"Hey Alice...wanna work together?" He thought that if he did five and Alice did five then they could finish quicker and review each others work. After all, Jack loved the woods so learning about magical plants was the next best thing...he would not accept anything lower than his best effort on this midterm, and he hoped the same for Alice.

1. Find, identify and describe a tree sapling that is ideal for Wand Wood (Currently present Cherry, Hawthorne, Maple, and Yew)
What type of magic is this wood adept at?

There is a young Crataegus monogyna, or Common Hawthorn, in the far right hand corner of the greenhouse. It is short, no more than 3 meters, though it will eventually grow to a height between 5 and 14 meters. It has muted thorny branches and obovate leaves. Wands of Hawthorn wood are adept at both healing magic and curses.

2. Find, identify and describe a plant used for it's natural defense mechanisms (Currently present Devil's Snare, Snargaluff and Venomous Tentacula)
Why is this plant good for defenses?

There is a Snargaluff specimen a few rows from the entrance of the greenhouse. Unprovoked, it closely resembles an old, twisted tree stump. It has thorned vines with which it can attack, fling away, or hold off threats, making it useful for defense.

3. Find, identify and describe a plant that is harvested for potion making (currently present Bubotuber, Dittany, Monkshood and Scorcha's Beard)
Which potion is this plant commonly harvested fr?

There are clusters of Scorcha's Beard in greenhouse's the fresh-water pool. Scorcha's Beard are bright green reeds with wine-coloured feathery bits on top. They are used in a lot of potions, like Dimme's Fire.

 4. Find, identify and describe a plant that is edible (currently present Black Walnut, Ginger, Mint, and Peruvian Sunbell)
In what dishes, treats or prepared foods are these plants typical found?

There is mint in the bed in the far left hand corner of the greenhouse. Mint has square, branched stems, oblong leaves with pointed tips.  Mint is used in a lot of foods and drinks. It is used to make tea, sweets, and sauces. My mum uses mint to make the sauce when she makes lamb chops.

5. Find, identify and describe a plant that is poisonous (currently present Angel's Trumpet, Arnica, Belladonna, and Bloodroot)
How is this plant poisonous - through touch or ingestion?

There is Arnica growing in the same bed as the mint in the far left hand corner of the greenhouse. Arnica plants have tall stems and, from May to August, yellow flowers. The leaves form a basal rosette. Arnica is poisonous if ingested in large amounts.

6. Find, identify and describe a plant that is commonly used for decoration (currently present Agapanthus, Flitterbloom, Foxglove and Hydrangea)
Does this plant have any other use in the magical world? If so what use does it have?

There are hydrangea bushes in a bed near the front of the greenhouse. They are dense shrubs with pale blue flowers.

7. Find, identify and describe a plant that emits noise (currently present Honking Daffodil, Mandrake, Raspberry and Screechsnap)
Does this noise have any adverse effects?

There are Honking Daffodils in pots on the table along the back wall of the greenhouse. They have bright gold flowers, and like their name suggests, they honk like geese. The noise is not harmful, but some, myself included, may find it irritating.

8. Find, identify and describe a plant that appears to have some sentience (currently present Cobra Lily, Mandrake, and Venomous Tentacula)
Why is this plant considered to have some level of sentience?

There is a Venomous Tentacula plant in a pot on the table with the Honking Daffodils. It is green and spiky with teeth, aggressive vines, and shoots that squirt venom. Venomous Tentacula is considered to have a level of sentience because it actively seeks prey, acting deliberately to incapacitate and grab live food.

9. Find, identify and describe a plant that is found primarily in water (currently present Gillyweed, Kelp, Lily Pad, and  Sea Lavender)
Within what type of body of water is this plant often found?

There is a small kelp forest in the salt-water pool near the centre of the greenhouse. Kelp are large seaweeds. They are usually found in shallow oceans.

10. Find, identify and describe a magical fruit (currently present Coconut Dynamite, Crazyberry, and Raspberry)
What makes this plant different from it's muggle counterpart?

There is a magical raspberry bush growing in a bed in the middle of the greenhouse. Raspberry bushes have woody, prickly stems. Unlike muggle raspberries, magical raspberries make rude noises when you pick them.