Plants in genus mandragora
Plants in genus mandragora
Mandragora officinarum
Mandragora officinarum, commonly known as mandrake, is a fascinating herbaceous perennial native to the Mediterranean region. It is renowned for its human-like roots, which have been associated with medicinal and magical properties throughout history. The plant forms a flat rosette of sandpapery green foliage and produces small lavender flowers in early spring. Its roots contain alkaloids, making them toxic, and are known to 'shriek' when pulled from the ground. Mandrake is a member of the Solanaceae family and is often found in rocky pine woods. It is a unique plant with a rich cultural history, often used in traditional herbal medicine.