Herbology: First Year: Week 4: Friday

Professor Pomona Sprout
Friday
Gryffindor Time: 10:00
Ravenclaw Time: 11:00
Hufflepuff Time: 10:00
Slytherin Time: 1:00

Hello again class. I hope that you will be able to settle down enought to study the plant I have in mind. If you will gather around this table here... Thank you. In front of each of you I have set a plant that is of the orchid family. If you look at the flowers you should be able to recognize it as such.

I was planning for you to help gather the seeds of this orchid, the Cheer Orchid, while I told you more about it. First, let me show you how to gather the seeds. You won't need gloves as the seed are very gentle on the skin. Look for the pods at the base of the plant. They are easily distinguished from the rest of the plant by their red and green mottled color. Slice the pod off the plant cleanly and hold it over one of the silver dishes. Look for the split down the middle and slice it cleanly in half. Then scrape off the seeds from the insides. Do this while I tell you about the plant.

The Cheer Orchid
Hilarus Festium
The Cheer Orchid is a plant that blooms around mid November and by Midwinter its seeds are ready to be harvested. The seeds are commonly dried and ground into a powder for use. The main use is blowing it around the room where a party is to be held. It settles into a fine powder on the surfaces of seats and dishes where the unsuspecting guests sit. It is said to taste very pleasant, like vanilla, but many people avoid eating it because of its side affects of extreme giddyness, chattering, and laughter that is so hard and long that people occasionally choke. After the effects have worn off, you are likely to experience moodiness and melancholy. Cheer Orchid powder is safe when sat upon or obsorbed through the skin, causing far lighter effects than when ingested and livening up a party considerably.

Please bring your dishes up to me. I will give a prize of a packet of powder to the person who has collected the most. No homework!