Horklump

Horklump
Species information
Skin colour	Pink
Hair colour	Black bristles
Native to	Scandinavia
Ministry of Magic Classification	X
Status	Beast

The Horklump resembles a fleshy pink mushroom covered in black bristles. Originally native to Scandinavia, the Horklump is now found throughout northern Europe.

Nature

Physiology and ecology  

Horklumps spread sinewy tentacles rather than mycelium into the ground to look for their desired food, which is earthworms. They are fast breeders, and can cover an average garden in days. The Horklump is the favoured delicacy of the Gnome. Streeler venom is one of the few known substances that can kill Horklumps.

Uses and interaction with humans

"Horklumps are pink, bristly mushroom-like creatures. It is very difficult to see why anyone would want to fondle them."

— Albus Dumbledore's opinion on Honoria's fiancé's interactions with Horklumps.

Horklumps have no discernible use, other than feeding gnomes (which is itself a problem). It is not known how the wizarding world views Horklumps, though Honoria Dumbledore's fiancé was once caught in the act of fondling some Horklumps, which shocked Honoria and caused to break off the relationship. However, the juice of the horklump is used in healing potions and herbicide.

Behind the scenes

File:Horklump (PS1).JPG

A green Horklump.

• Given their ability to overrun gardens within days and attract problem species, Horklumps are likely viewed as pests by Wizardkind. If this is true then it may explain why gnomes became so common in the first place; biological control is the control of a pest population's size by introducing the appropriate predator or parasite and so gnomes may have been introduced by wizards and witches to their gardens to rid them of Horklumps in the past before the gnomes themselves turned pest (a danger of this method of pest control).
• Although Horklumps are referred to as pink in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, they have also been spotted in other media of the franchise in other colours (such as the yellow or green Horklumps of the games). These may represent mutant breeds, though it is also possible that it is one of the many mistakes made whenever Harry Potter is presented in a non-book form.
• Gilderoy Lockhart wrote about his supposed encounters with Horklumps in Marauding with Monsters. He described them as non-threatening and recommended the Knockback Jinx as a method of dealing with them. As his alleged achievements were a fraud, this method presumably originated with another wizard, whose memory he wiped.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game) (PS1, GBC, & GBA versions)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game) (PC, PS2, & GBC versions)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (video game)
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Mentioned only)
• The Tales of Beedle the Bard (Mentioned only)
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4