Herbology Club: Potter Plants

[zq-mf.livejournal.com]

Oopsies....a little late because I was getting wings work ran late tonight but here you go! :)

Activity: Potter Plants
Details: Turn your favorite Harry Potter character into a plant! Explain why you think that the plant you've chosen fits them. Comment on other people's "Potter plants" with why you agree or disagree.
Points: Long debate style: 10 points for your first comment; 2 pts for anything posted after; cap of 30 pts possible.
Deadline: Will run from Sunday(today), July 25th @ 4:00 UTC (11 pm CDT) till Saturday, July 31st @ 5:00 UTC (12 pm CDT).

2 of you can earn an extra 5 pts for doing this activity: raphaellover & stellar_kar

You also have to be on my roster to get points for this.

Comments won't be screened for this activity.

Any other questions? Drop them below :) I'm pretty sure this is cut and dry though ♥

Come frolick in the flowers with me and the rest of the Herbology Club today!!

Comments

[sylvir.livejournal.com]

Also, the Venus Fly Trap definitely seems like the odd-one-out when it comes to plants as it's carnivorous, and to me, Mad-Eyed Moody has always been somewhat of an eccentric character.

Bess//Gryffindor//4

[sylvir.livejournal.com]

Also read somewhere that honeysuckle inspires many with its hardiness. And as everyone else mentioned, he's been bullied, but when he stood up against Harry, Hermione, and Ron in the first book, that was very courageous, and I might say rather inspirational, especially the way Dumbledore announced it at the end of the year ceremony.

“There are all kinds of courage,” said Dumbledore, smiling. “It
takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as
much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to
Mr. Neville Longbottom.”

Bess//Gryffindor//5

[sylvir.livejournal.com]

Your comment is so made of win &heart;

No one can resist a tasty looking apple, amiright, and definitely not Snape.

Also to note: the color of apple flowers is pink; and pink can be associated with warmth and love, which is what Lily provided for Harry: comfort while encouraging motion and an outward orientation.

Bess//Gryffindor//6

[sylvir.livejournal.com]

This is really accurate comparison! I looked Maple up to see what else it means, and apparently the Celtics associate Maple as "no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved; ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress." Which I must say, sums up Hermione perfectly.

Bess//Gryffindor//7

[sylvir.livejournal.com]

Oooh, good point! After the 7th book came out, it seemed people's perceptions of Snape changed as a whole. One of the reasons was because we never saw it coming (at least I didn't). I mean, Snape already had a very important role, which we assumed was Harry's antagonist (up til the 7th book). So I guess you could say as opium hides reality, it also shrouds the truth of Snape.

Bess//Gryffindor//8

[samsamtastic.livejournal.com]

I have to go utterly cliche and say that Lily Evans - not Potter, school aged Lily - would be a red rose. Roses are gorgeous, of course, and red colored ones represent passion. From Snape's memories and what people have told Harry, we know that she was was thought beautiful by many of her peers. However from the memories, we also know that she was a spitfire and could turn from beautiful, demure Lily that everybody loved to an angry fireball of a person when provoked - be it from James asking her out on yet another date, or her friend of five years or so utterly insulting her. That trait lends nicely to the color representing passion as well thorns that rose stems have to defend themselves from harm.

Sam//Gryffindor

[sylvir.livejournal.com]

Oooh, this fits really well for Tonks. Due to the fact that Achillea can survive in a variety of growing conditions reflects her ability to adapt to situations and still stay firm and tough.

Bess//Gryffindor//9

[kilobites.livejournal.com]

I think Bellatrix would be Digitalis (Foxglove). Digitalis is a plant that is poisonous and can cause hallucinations and delusions. Since Bellatrix is basically insane, it makes sense to associate her with a plant that can cause mind altering effects. However, digitalis can also be used medicinally, which is fitting to Bellatrix because she is so unpredictable, and can respond to things in different ways. Furthermore, digitalis frequently grows in areas where the ground has recently been disturbed, most commonly burned, which makes sense since Bellatrix thrives on chaos and disaster.

Tasha//Gryffindor

[kilobites.livejournal.com]

I like this explanation--I also like how your argument is very pro-Percy, yet you picked a plant that people often see as being harmful, since people often see Percy as being harmful. A thistle seems like a perfect plant for him, especially your point about how he acted standoffish to keep people away. It's that prickly exterior of the thistle that fits so well with his personality.

Tasha//Gryffindor

[turtleyurtle1.livejournal.com]

I think Fleur is Rosemary.

I was actually looking for the perfect plant for Luna, but when I came across the "mythology" section of the Rosemary plant, I knew it would fit Fleur much better.

Rosemary is often used as landscaping, and is considered pretty easy to grow, and somewhat pest-resistant. It's ever so slightly prickly because of it's leaves- just like fleur is. But Rosemary is really fragrant, and is associated with the Goddess Aphroditite- it was said to be draped over her when she arose from the sea. I don't know of any other Goddess I would put Fleur with first. xD The one of beauty and love seems to fit perfectly! Not to mention that Rosemary is also used for rememberance, and love and loyalty. Rosemary used to be used in weddding ceremonies in the middle ages, and Fleur of course gets married in the books.

As a funny thing worth noting- too much Rosemary can cause seizures or spasms, just like Fleur's beauty can be a little overwhelming. Rosemary's also used to scent lotions and the like, and I imagine Fleur appreciates a good scent.

Desiree || gryffindor

[kilobites.livejournal.com]

I like this one. It emphasizes Neville's strength, which he clearly has. He has dealt with a lot in his life, and but he has been able to be adaptable throughout his life. The fact that it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, which love sweet things, is perfect because of your point--deep down he is incredibly sweet.

Tasha//Gryffindor

[kilobites.livejournal.com]

I like the way you describe this, especially since you point out the way Cho is portrayed throughout the books as being mainly ornamental. The flower you picked was perfect because it is a combination of ornamental and toxic (and I liked how you described her toxicity, that made me laugh).

Tasha//Gryffindor

[kilobites.livejournal.com]

I was skeptical at first, but in reading your explanation I think I can definitely see the point you're making. Your last sentence, especially, makes sense with Snape's character. I also liked your point about how when his character was finally developed (or in the flower metaphor, well nurtured), we were able to see his most beautiful state (blooming). That was what really swayed me to see it your way.

Tasha//Gryffindor

[caitriona-3.livejournal.com]

I agree. It is also a beautiful plant, hiding a deadly nature. For all her deadliness, Bellatrix is a lovely woman. What's more, Foxglove is called one of the top ten heirloom flowers - what could be more perfect for this daughter of the Ancient and Noble house of Black?

Caitriona//Gryffindor

[kilobites.livejournal.com]

I like that you went into the mythology of the plant you picked for Fleur, since it seems necessary for Fleur to have a plant that has some interesting mythology behind it. The fact that rosemary is associated with Aphrodite is almost ridiculously perfect! That is the goddess that I would think of for Fleur, and your argument is only made stronger by the fact that too much rosemary can cause negative effects, just like Fleur's beauty.

Tasha//Gryffindor

[kilobites.livejournal.com]

I like your point here. Tonks is clearly a very resistant person who is able to stay tough in any situation, and the fact that this plant can survive in a lot of conditions reminds me of the fact that Tonks is able to change her appearance and adapt to all situations, even finding a way to thrive. Tonks comes off as being very fun loving and carefree, but there is a hidden depth, that you highlighted here.

Tasha//Gryffindor

[turtleyurtle1.livejournal.com]

It's also great because Belladonna breaks down into the phrase "beautiful woman"- I wouldn't say Bellatrix is necessarily the most beautiful woman in the books, but her beauty is of a rather dangerous sort.

It's genus name is also fitting: "Atropa" is derived from Atropos, the greek fate who cut the strings of life. Bellatrix clearly snipped short lives in the books.

Desiree // Gryffindor

Re: Questions/Comments/Concerns??

[caitriona-3.livejournal.com]

Can we put plants down for more than one character? I already did Tonks, but I just found a great one for Luna.

[kilobites.livejournal.com]

I know these flowers well (I'm a Seattle person too) and I like your point here. I think there are a lot of flowers that could fit Fleur, so it's hard to argue any one definitively, but your argument that this plant can come off as soft and charming but is actually a very hearty plant capable of living in lots of conditions makes a lot of sense. The fact that this plant has an uncommon beauty just like Fleur is fitting.

Tasha//Gryffindor

Re: Questions/Comments/Concerns??

[zq-mf.livejournal.com]

Sure...it'll just count as one of the extra 2 pt. ones because you already posted a first comment.

[kilobites.livejournal.com]

I like your argument here because I also picked a plant for Bellatrix that induces delirium and hallucinations, which just seems perfect for someone like Bellatrix. The fact that women used to use it to make themselves look more beautiful is fitting for Bellatrix, too, because a lot of women used it to beautify themselves and ended up having the harmful effects of it.

Tasha//Gryffindor

[turtleyurtle1.livejournal.com]

Haha, I think that's perfect, especially the part about his secretions keeping others from blooming, but still being a key ingredient in things. Snape himself is a key ingredient to the story as a whole, even if some people do find him hard to stomach.

Desiree // Gryffindor.

[kilobites.livejournal.com]

I'm chuckling at your last sentence, but overall I think your argument is really strong. The fact that pineapples require some challenge to get into, just like the Slug Club, makes a lot of sense. Of course, once you're in the Slug Club, as you point out, the rewards are sweet like getting into a pineapple.

Plus, it's great that you were able to associate him to something that he has been shown to like.

Tasha//Gryffindor

[kilobites.livejournal.com]

This is very interesting, and I think it's something I wouldn't have thought of. Your argument has convinced me, however. Your examples of how he sneaks up on unsuspecting victims and catches them off guard is strong because you use an example from the book. He is also dangerous like a Venus Fly Trap, because once one gets ahold of you, you're pretty much done for.

Tasha//Gryffindor

[turtleyurtle1.livejournal.com]

I'm also amused by the "poisons" comparision. It seems quite true, considering Cho's unhelpfulness- and it was beyond frustrating to watch her poison the group like that.

Desiree // Gryffindor