Phyllida Spore

Professor Dame Phyllida Spore (d. 1408) was a witch. A celebrated Herbologist and author of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, Professor Spore was the Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in her later life.

Lifetime
Professor Spore studied Herbology and authored One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, a textbook that was still used at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1997.

At some point in her life, she became the Headmistress of Hogwarts. Also at an unknown time, Spore received the title and honour of "dame".

Post-mortem
Professor Spore died in 1408. Two portraits of her hung at Hogwarts: one depicted a middle aged woman, and another, hung in the Headmaster's office, depicted her as a younger witch with long dark hair.

Behind the scenes

 * Phyllida's portrait at the Headmaster's office appears only in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets a large painting of a wizard sleeping standing up against an armchair occupies that space, and in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black is hung there.

Etymology
Her first name is from Greek for "leaf" or "plant." A spore is a body produced by fungi, algae and non-flowering plants that is very protective and resistant to drought.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
 * The Wizarding World of Harry Potter