Mallowsweet

• Type: Magical Plant, Puzzle Activator
• Users: Witches and wizards, particularly those attempting Merlin Trials
• Maker: N/A (A naturally occurring or magically cultivated plant)

Mallowsweet is a magical plant characterized by its sprigs of small, purple flowers and broad green leaves. (video game) It is cultivated for its unique magical properties and can be grown from seeds in pots or purchased from various vendors. (video game)

The primary and most significant known use of Mallowsweet is to activate Merlin Trials. (video game) These are a series of ancient and complex puzzles scattered throughout the Scottish Highlands, created by the legendary wizard Merlin himself. (video game) To use it, a witch or wizard places a single sprig of Mallowsweet in the center of a circular stone vortex pattern found on the ground, which marks the start of a trial. (video game) Upon contact, the Mallowsweet dissolves into the stone, causing large, vine-covered rock structures to emerge from the ground, initiating the puzzle. (video game) In the 1890s, Mallowsweet could be purchased from The Magic Neep in Hogsmeade or grown in the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. (video game)

The use of Mallowsweet as a magical key is ancient, dating back to the time of Merlin. He designed his trials to be accessible only to those who possessed the plant, making it an integral component of his legacy. (video game) The trials were intended to challenge clever witches and wizards, testing their problem-solving skills and magical abilities. (video game) These puzzles were part of Merlin's effort to champion those who would use magic wisely, in contrast to a fellow Slytherin from his era who advocated for Muggle domination. (video game)

Mallowsweet does not appear in the original seven Harry Potter novels. Its role is central to the narrative and gameplay of the Hogwarts Legacy video game. The player is introduced to Mallowsweet and Merlin Trials by the witch and historian Nora Treadwell. (video game) The plant functions as a key and a recurring gameplay mechanic, required to begin each of the 95 trials found in the game world. (video game) Successfully completing these trials rewards the player by increasing their gear-carrying capacity, making the collection and usage of Mallowsweet essential for character progression. (video game)

• Mallowsweet is a creation for the Hogwarts Legacy video game (2023) and is not mentioned in the seven original Harry Potter books, the films, or other supplementary materials written by J.K. Rowling. Its existence and properties are established entirely within the context of the game.
• The name “Mallowsweet” is likely a combination of “mallow,” a genus of real-world flowering plants, and “sweet,” possibly referring to its scent or magical nature. The original marshmallow confection was made from the root of the marsh-mallow plant, Althaea officinalis.