Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Magic/Herbology

Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter - Magic
Herbology
Type	Course
Features	Plants and other flora
First Appearance	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Overview

Herbology is the study of magical plants and how to take care of, utilize and/or combat them. Herbology lessons are shown in each of the first six books.

The subject is depicted as closely related to Potions, due to the nature of the plants, many of which are cultivated for extracting useful ingredients. Throughout the series, Herbology is taught by Pomona Sprout.

Extended Description

Herbology is a core subject; it is one of the six academic subjects taught in the first year. Harry, who chooses to pursue a career as an Auror, takes Herbology at NEWT-level.

Being located in greenhouses on the grounds, trips to and from Herbology lessons are written to depict the weather at the time (for example, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, chapter 14). There are at least three greenhouses described in the books, holding a variety of magical plants of varying degrees of lethality, including mandrakes, bubotubers, and Snargaluffs (which are valued for their pods).

Herbology is also the only subject in which Neville Longbottom excels.

Greater Picture

In the Epilogue, it is revealed that Neville has become the Professor of Herbology at Hogwarts.