Pipe-weed: Difference between revisions

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The cultivation and exportation of this herb became a key industry in the Shire, especially in the south. Popular varieties of pipe-weed included [[Longbottom Leaf]], [[Old Toby]], and [[Southern Star]] from the Shire.<ref name="pipeweed"/> Perhaps less popular was [[Southlinch]] from Bree.<ref>{{RK|VI7}}</ref>
The cultivation and exportation of this herb became a key industry in the Shire, especially in the south. Popular varieties of pipe-weed included [[Longbottom Leaf]], [[Old Toby]], and [[Southern Star]] from the Shire.<ref name="pipeweed"/> Perhaps less popular was [[Southlinch]] from Bree.<ref>{{RK|VI7}}</ref>


The [[Wizards|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]] learned to smoke pipe-weed from the Hobbits and was often seen blowing smoke-rings.<ref name="pipeweed"/> [[Saruman]] initially derided him for this, but at some point he took up smoking himself. and even had commerce with the Shire: After the destruction of [[Isengard]], pipe-weed was found among its stores, but the Hobbits [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] failed to realize the [[Sharkey|sinister implications]].
The [[Wizards|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]] learned to smoke pipe-weed from the Hobbits and was often seen blowing smoke-rings.<ref name="pipeweed"/> [[Saruman]] initially derided him for this, but at some point he took up smoking himself, and even had commerce with the Shire: After the destruction of [[Isengard]], pipe-weed was found among its stores, but the Hobbits [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] failed to realize the [[Sharkey|sinister implications]].


After the [[War of the Ring]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] authored ''[[Herblore of the Shire]]'' discussing the origins and history of the Hobbits' 'art' of [[smoking]] Pipe-weed.<ref name="pipeweed"/>
After the [[War of the Ring]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] authored ''[[Herblore of the Shire]]'' discussing the origins and history of the Hobbits' 'art' of [[smoking]] Pipe-weed.<ref name="pipeweed"/>

Revision as of 18:45, 30 October 2016

John Howe - Hobbit pipe

Pipe-weed (also known as Halflings' Leaf or simply Leaf) was a plant developed by the Hobbits of the Shire.

History

Apparently the plant grew in Númenor and was brought to Middle-earth by Númenóreans during the Second Age. Among the Dúnedain it was known as sweet galenas,[1] and in Gondor it grew as a wild herb, appreciated primarily for its fragrant blossoms. Among the Gondorians it was known popularly as westmansweed,[1] a reference to its origin.

It was not until the Third Age, when the Hobbits (possibly those in Bree) were the first to use it for smoking. From Bree the habit of smoking pipe-weed spread to other regions, as well as to other races, such as Men, Dwarves and Wizards. In the Shire it was first domesticated, despite its foreign origins, by Tobold Hornblower of Longbottom in Southfarthing around S.R. 1070. [2]

The cultivation and exportation of this herb became a key industry in the Shire, especially in the south. Popular varieties of pipe-weed included Longbottom Leaf, Old Toby, and Southern Star from the Shire.[2] Perhaps less popular was Southlinch from Bree.[3]

The Wizard Gandalf learned to smoke pipe-weed from the Hobbits and was often seen blowing smoke-rings.[2] Saruman initially derided him for this, but at some point he took up smoking himself, and even had commerce with the Shire: After the destruction of Isengard, pipe-weed was found among its stores, but the Hobbits Merry and Pippin failed to realize the sinister implications.

After the War of the Ring, Meriadoc Brandybuck authored Herblore of the Shire discussing the origins and history of the Hobbits' 'art' of smoking Pipe-weed.[2]

Inspiration

In the prologue to The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien stated specifically that "it is a strain of the herb nicotiana",[2] i.e. tobacco. Whether the substance is psychoactive remains unclear.

Etymology

The common Gondorian name of pipe-weed was Westmansweed.[4] The more noble name was galenas (a Gondor Sindarin form of of the proper Sindarin form galanes), meaning "pipeweed" (or "sweet smelling growth"[source?]).[5]

Portrayal in adaptations

Item-Sweet Galenas.jpg

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The smoke from Sweet Galenas takes the form of a sailing ship that floats out from the pipe.

References