7: Gillyweed

You might be surprised that we’ve picked a magical plant that resembles a ball of ‘slimy, greyish green rat tails’ as our seventh deadliest but hear us out. While eating this plant raw gives you the ability to breathe underwater, timing is crucial. Just imagine the trouble you’d find yourself in if the effects of Gillyweed wore off and you were suddenly without gills while diving deep. Or, far-fetched as it may be, imagine if you accidentally ate some when you were nowhere near water! The consequences could be deadly. Time and place are everything – earning this magical plant a spot on our list.

6: Bubotuber

These shrubs that resemble ‘thick black giant slugs, protruding vertically out of the soil’ may have been described by Harry as the ‘ugliest plants he had seen’ but we also think they deserve the title of one of the deadliest. It all comes down to the pus. Yes, that’s right, the pus. Distilled it’s an effective cure for the most stubborn form of acne, but undiluted it causes horrible sores all over your skin. Hermione ended up in the hospital wing when she was sent an envelope full of the stuff… imagine if there was a whole vat of pus. We reckon that could prove to be life-threatening, which is why this painful plant is sixth on our list.

5: Snargaluff

At first glance, the gnarled, stump-like Snargaluff plant might not seem deadly, but don’t be fooled, appearances can often be deceiving. When provoked, the Snargaluff will reveal its secret – long, bramble-like vines that whip through the air attacking those who come near. These vicious vines are enough to earn its spot on our list… but there’s more. Snargaluffs contain pulsating, green pods filled with tubers like pale-green worms – Professor Sprout even used them against the Death Eaters during the Battle of Hogwarts. A formidable plant indeed.

The Whomping Willow

Coming in fourth on our list we have one of the most famous (and feistiest) wizarding plants around… the Whomping Willow. Step too close and you’ll feel the full force of its thrashing branches. We think one well-placed hit could prove to be lethal. However, we’ve placed this towards the middle of the list, as touching a particular knot on the Willow will immobilise it immediately – making it far less threatening. Still, this is one tree you would want to steer clear of.

Venomous Tentacula

With villainous vines that have been known to try and strangle the odd Herbology student, a venomous bite, spikes and not forgetting poisonous shoots – we don’t think we need explain why the Venomous Tentacula has found its way into our top three. Extremely dangerous, it loved to go after living prey. However, it would only take a quick Severing Charm to get it to release you from its clutches. Plus, it was on the Hogwarts Herbology curriculum for sixth-years – so we don’t think it’s quite deadly enough to take the top spot.

Devil’s Snare

This aptly named plant certainly lives up to its devilish reputation with its tendency to trap and suffocate its victims in its tentacle-like vines – including Broderick Bode in Order of the Phoenix. In fact, it’s so dangerous, Professor Sprout used it as a weapon against the Death Eaters during the Battle of Hogwarts. With such a fearsome reputation, why isn’t it at the very top of our list? Well, it’s because if it ensnares you there is a way to escape its deadly grip. This plant thrives in the dark and damp but recoils at light and warmth. A well-placed flame will see it make a quick retreat.

Mandrake

These shrubs might resemble crying babies when young and they might be a key ingredient in making a potion that cures Petrification… but they’re also lethal. Yes, second-years helped to raise them but that was before these plants hit maturity. Once they did? Well, they have a wail that is fatal. You heard us correctly, fatal. Mandrakes don’t need to snare victims in their vines or poison them with their shoots – they just have to make a noise. Forgot your earmuffs? You’re a goner – which is why they’re our deadliest plant of all.