The puzzle was changed by an update, the reasons lay with the NLT team I guess.
Perhaps the initial one was judged too easy (my guess)
English is not my mother tongue, but I doubt this sentence is actually english: I wish I could understand what you mean
I was in the same situation and had the same doubt. I ended up reloadng the save and getting the philweed on this rational:
I've plenty of talismans, and they keep popping out everywhere. Can't say the same thing for the philweed so I went for that one.
Also having the potion's ingredients shelf fully stock up seemed potentially more consequential for the game its self.