Pipe-weed
Pipe-weed (also known as Halflings' Leaf or simply Leaf) was a plant developed by the Hobbits of the Shire. The cultivation and exportation of this herb was a key industry in the Shire, especially in the south. 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 apparently brought to Middle-earth by Númenóreans during the Second Age. There it was first domesticated by Tobold Hornblower of Longbottom in Southfarthing around S.R. 1070 (T.A. 2670). Despite its foreign origins, the Hobbits (possibly those in Bree) were the first to use it for smoking.[2]
Popular varieties of pipe-weed included Longbottom Leaf, Old Toby, and Southern Star.[2]
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.
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. After the destruction of Isengard, pipe-weed was found among its stores, but the Hobbits Merry and Pippin failed to realize the sinister implications of the discovery that Saruman had had commerce with the Shire.
Etymology
The common Gondorian name of pipe-weed was Westmansweed.[source?] The more noble name was galenas (a Gondor Sindarin form of of the proper Sindarin form galanes), meaning "pipeweed" (or "sweet smelling growth"[source?]).[3]
Portrayal in Adaptations
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
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Houses of Healing"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "Prologue", "Concerning Pipe-weed"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 100
