Abyssinian Shrivelfig

• Type: Magical Plant, Potion Ingredient
• Owners: Not applicable as a species; cultivated at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
• Maker: Not applicable; a naturally occurring magical plant.

The precise physical appearance of the Abyssinian Shrivelfig plant is not described in the original novels. The name suggests it is a plant that bears a fig-like fruit, and its primary characteristic is its shriveling or shrinking property. For use in potion-making, the Shrivelfig must be peeled or skinned.

The Abyssinian Shrivelfig is a key ingredient in several potions, most notably the Shrinking Solution. Its name strongly implies that its magical properties are related to causing objects or beings to shrink or shrivel. The preparation of the Shrivelfig for a potion involves carefully skinning it. This task is shown to be a standard part of the second-year Potions curriculum at Hogwarts.

The Abyssinian Shrivelfig is first mentioned during a second-year Potions lesson in which students are tasked with brewing a Shrinking Solution. Professor Snape instructs his class to skin their Shrivelfigs. Hermione Granger performs the task adeptly, while Neville Longbottom struggles, managing to mangle his Shrivelfig instead of skinning it properly. Later, during his O.W.L. practical examination in Potions, Harry Potter correctly recalls that a Shrinking Solution requires a skinned Shrivelfig, demonstrating that this knowledge is considered fundamental for a student of his level.

The Abyssinian Shrivelfig primarily serves as a world-building element within the Potions classroom. Its inclusion helps to establish the practical, hands-on nature of the subject and provides a tangible challenge for the students. The differing abilities of Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom in preparing the Shrivelfig serve to highlight their respective aptitudes and personalities, particularly under the pressure of Professor Snape's teaching style.

• The plant's name, “Abyssinian,” refers to the historical Ethiopian Empire, suggesting that the Shrivelfig is native to that region of Africa.
• In the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets video game, Abyssinian Shrivelfigs are depicted as purple, pulsating, bulb-like plants that must be collected by the player (video game).
• According to Pottermore, the Abyssinian Shrivelfig is not only an ingredient in the Shrinking Solution but also in the Elixir to Induce Euphoria (Pottermore).