Gillyweed
Gillyweed is a magical plant native to the Mediterranean Sea. When eaten by a witch or wizard, one grows gills and webbing between the fingers and toes, allowing them to process oxygen from water and navigate underwater more easily.
There is some debate among Herbologists as to the duration of the effects of Gillyweed in fresh water versus salt water, but the effects of Gillyweed in fresh water seem to last about an hour.
A different subspecies of gillyweed is dried and used for recreational purposes. This is also referred to as "Kelp".
Description
Gillyweed is said to resemble a bundle of slimy, grey-green rat tails. It can be harvested or grown in tanks.
Gillyweed is a revered substance in Merpeople culture, as most colonies carefully cultivate their own strains of the herb. It greatly enhances their capabilities when consumed; half-merfolk like Heliotrope LeJean will even transform fully merfolk for the time consumed.
Recreational Use
When dried and smoked by a witch or wizard, Gillyweed's effects may include but are not limited to: a general alteration of conscious perception, euphoria, feelings of well-being, relaxation or stress reduction, increased sensuality, increased awareness of sensation, and (if smoked in great quantities) possible mild hallucinations.
It is written on Absit Omen with attitudes similarly shown for Muggle world contraband, Marijuana.
Legality
Medicinal gillyweed was legalised by the Ministry of Magic in 2014. This was followed by the legalisation of recreational use in 2015.
Smoking kelp was once considered illegal by the Ministry of Magic but individuals were rarely apprehended for it, unless they were part of a larger effort to sell or deal in the substance on a mass scale.
Known distributors
- Tamara Handrow who can be found behind Calaveras
- The Billy Goat is a gillyweed specialty shop in London
- Artemis Coven grow and sell in Slandermouth
Divination Use
Dried gillyweed is often utilised by Seers and would-be Seers to enhance their Inner Eye. Its magical properties are purported to help open the Eye, or make it easier for Seers to form predictions. The gillyweed can be smoked or burned as a smudge stick and inhaled.
