http://khokhmah.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] khokhmah.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] hh_clubs 2009-03-19 12:16 am (UTC)

Name: Common (scientific) (European or common) Yew//Taxus baccata
Size: small-to-medium tree (10-20 metres/33-66 feet)
Colour: Brown bark, dark green leaves
Location: western, central and southern Europe, northwest Africa, northern Iran and southwest Asia/\.
Variations: There are different types of yew tree: Pacific, European, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, Canadian, Sumatran, Himalayan. I chose the European Yew because it's the most likely type to be used in wands (being that Hogwarts is in Europe). The seed is bitter, and many parts of the tree are toxic and can cause a swift death.

Suggested Magical Use(s): Currently, yew trees are used for wands, and they symbolize death and resurrection. They're quite popular in literature (everything from The Count of Monte Cristo to Beowulf to Titus Andronicus to The Hobbit.

Author's Note(s): Lord Voldemort is the only person in the series to have used a yew wand, which is interesting, considering how toxic the tree can be.

Shir//Ravenclaw

Post a comment in response:

This account has disabled anonymous posting.
If you don't have an account you can create one now.
HTML doesn't work in the subject.
More info about formatting