The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 12 March 2009
  • Updates planned: 2

Tobacco

A shrub of which at least one variety was originally introduced into Middle-earth by the Númenóreans, hence its common name of 'westmansweed'. It grew wild in Gondor, where the people enjoyed it for its scent. Eventually it found its way into the more northerly parts of Middle-earth, and the Breelanders discovered that its dried leaves could be smoked in a pipe. This 'art' reached its height among the Hobbits of the Shire, and thus tobacco became commonly referred to as Halfings' Leaf (or simply 'Leaf').

Though tobacco of some form seems to have been relatively plentiful at the end of the Third Age, in later times it must have become extinct in the northwestern regions of Middle-earth, and pipe-smoking was forgotten until it was reinvented much later in history.


Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 12 March 2009
  • Updates planned: 2

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2009. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

Website services kindly sponsored by Discus from Axiom Software Ltd.
DISC is one of the most popular methods of personality testing and assessment in use today.
The Encyclopedia of Arda
The Encyclopedia of Arda
Menu
Homepage Search Latest Entries and Updates Random Entry