Selected excerpts from botanical notes kept by Finrod Felagund on his journeys throughout Beleriand:
"The leaves of the [Woodland Star] are dark in color, and folded into ridges very much as a ballroom fan. For such a shape it is much favored by ants and other insects, which nestle close to the stems and drink of its sap. With such an impulse I myself can sympathize; were I the size of an ant certainly I would like the comfort and shade within that dark emerald green, and feel quite secure below the heavy leaf. The sap, however, is entirely not to elven tastes (or at least not to mine!) for it is horribly bitter, and stays long upon the tongue."
"This berry is quite sweet, and may be consumed, if one does not mind spending some hours afterwards miserably ill."
"In Doriath, venomous snakes have come to nest in the tree's shaded crown, and though local settlements warned me to avoid them I found that (after only one bite!) I was able to make fast friends with these creatures. Their deep jewel colors and little spear-like heads pleased me, though the nerve pain in my left hand was notable."
"After eating the petals of the flower for the dozenth time, I discovered the unpleasant waxiness might be removed with the application of heat."
"It has been hard to find a plant which might flourish in the darkness of the caves I so favor... but the newts, dear reader, the newts!"
