Magical Fungi

• Type: Magical Flora / Potions Ingredient
• Field of Study: Herbology
• Key Text: One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi

Magical fungi are a diverse group of spore-bearing organisms found throughout the wizarding world. Alongside magical herbs and plants, they are a fundamental component of Herbology and are primarily cultivated and harvested for use as ingredients in Potions. The standard textbook for their study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore. Many magical fungi possess unusual, and often dangerous, properties that distinguish them from their mundane counterparts.

While the full range of magical fungi is vast, several specific types are mentioned in the series:

• Leaping Toadstool: These fungi are notable for their ability to move, as implied by their name. They are catalogued in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi. During his second year, Neville Longbottom was seen consulting the textbook about them, apparently as part of his Herbology studies.
• Venomous Tentacula Fungus: A type of fungus that grows on the back of the dangerous Venomous Tentacula plant. In their fourth-year Herbology class, Harry Potter and his classmates were tasked with collecting this fungus, a difficult and likely hazardous assignment given the nature of the host plant.

The primary application of magical fungi is in potion-making. Their unique properties are harnessed to create a wide variety of magical effects in different concoctions. The exact contribution of each fungus to a potion depends on its specific magical nature. In Herbology class, taught by Professor Sprout at Hogwarts, students learn to identify, handle, and cultivate various magical fungi. This training is essential, as many fungi can be dangerous to handle without proper knowledge and precautions, such as the kind that grows on a Venomous Tentacula. The curriculum covers both their magical properties and their practical applications, particularly for Potions.

• The video game Hogwarts Legacy expands on the variety of magical fungi. Leaping Toadstool Caps are a collectible ingredient used in Potions within the game, where they are seen actively leaping off the ground. (video game)