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Mandragora officinarum - L.

Mandrake

Author	L.	Botanical references	89, 200
Family	Solanaceae	Genus	Mandragora
Synonyms	Mandragora acaulis - Gaertn. Mandragora vernalis - Bertol.
Known Hazards	All parts of the plant are poisonous[19, 21]. Only slightly so according to one report[89].
Range	South-eastern Europe.
Habitat	Open woodland, deserted fields and stony places[21, 89].
Edibility Rating	1 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	2 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.1m by 0.3m.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit.

Fruit - raw or cooked. A delicacy[89]. The fruit is about the size of a small apple, with a strong apple-like scent[4]. Caution is advised in the use of this fruit, it is quite possibly poisonous[K].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Cathartic; Emetic; Hallucinogenic; Narcotic.

Mandrake has a long history of medicinal use, though superstition has played a large part in the uses it has been applied to. It is rarely prescribed in modern herbalism[238], though it contains hyoscine which is the standard pre-operative medication given to soothe patients and reduce bronchial secretions[244]. It is also used to treat travel sickness[244]. The fresh or dried root contains highly poisonous alkaloids and is cathartic, strongly emetic, hallucinogenic and narcotic[4, 21, 46, 192, 244]. In sufficient quantities it induces a state of oblivion and was used as an anaesthetic for operations in early surgery[238]. It was much used in the past for its anodyne and soporific properties[4]. In the past, juice from the finely grated root was applied externally to relieve rheumatic pains, ulcers and scrofulous tumours[244]. It was also used internally to treat melancholy, convulsions and mania[244]. When taken internally in large doses, however, it is said to excite delirium and madness[4]. The root should be used with caution, and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[21, 238]. See the notes above on toxicity. The leaves are harmless and cooling. They have been used for ointments and other external applications to ulcers etc[4].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Prefers a deep humus-rich light soil and a sheltered position in full sun[238]. It also tolerates some shade[200]. Prefers a circumneutral soil[200] and dislikes chalk or gravel[4]. Plants are liable to rot in wet or ill-draining soils[4]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[187]. The roots are somewhat carrot-shaped and can be up to 1.2 metres long[4]. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance and should be put out into their permanent positions as soon as possible[188]. The root often divides into two and is vaguely suggestive of the human body. In the past it was frequently made into amulets which were believed to bring good fortune, cure sterility etc[244]. There is a superstition that if a person pulls up this root they will be condemned to hell[244]. Therefore in the past people have tied the roots to the bodies of animals and then used these animals in order to pull the roots out of the soil.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame in the autumn[188]. The seed can also be sown in spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Root cuttings in winter[200]. Division. This can be rather difficult since the plants resent root disturbance.

Links

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[19] Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983 ISBN 0-600-35666-3
Not very comprehensive, but easy reading.

[21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.

[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[89] Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1
A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some information on plant uses.

[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[192] Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979 ISBN 0-289-70864-8
A lot of details about the history, chemistry and use of narcotic plants, including hallucinogens, stimulants, inebriants and hypnotics.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[244] Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990 ISBN 0-330-30725-8
Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Mandragora officinarum

A. Minahan Wed Feb 13 17:56:27 2002

Link: PaganPath Mandrake root samples for sale, plus historical and traditional magickal uses. Modern Pagan uses too.

Mandragora officinarum

Chris Poirot Sat Oct 16 13:07:58 2004

In several herbal exibitions and botanical gardens a distinction seems to be made between so called "male" and "female" plants.

Since the plant is apparently hermaphroditic an even self-fertile, what can be the reason (if any) for this distinction?

Ar there varieties or even related species of Mandragra (officinarum) colloquially called "male or "female" Or is all this just another mystification, i.e. not based on any sound taxonomic grounds?

Mandragora officinarum

Mon Jan 24 04:00:01 2005

Vespid ( etopsid ) is a chemotherapy drug made from the alkaloids of the mandrake plant.

Mandragora officinarum

Mon Oct 23 2006

i have been trying to find this plant and buy the seeds for it,but at no vail,please can you help me in find the seeds or seedlys thank you linda littledoe21313@sbcglobal.net

Mandragora officinarum

Corwin Fri Jan 26 2007

In regards to the "male" versus "female" distinction this is in refers to the shape that the roots grow in. The "female" being a forked root with two branches and the single being the male. This is associated with it's ancient proported qualities as an "Aphrodisiac". The female for was carved, in the middle ages, into human forms called manikins and were worn to give good luck. Perhaps the earliest ref to this herb is in Genesis 30:14-17.

Mandragora officinarum

Noam Oren Tue Sep 11 2007

I have some nice examples of the roots you can see the difrents betwin the"male" and "femalw" roots, I can send some photos if some body is interested and also some roots are for sale as well as some seeds.

Mandragora officinarum

alexis Thu Nov 1 2007

I am interested in acquiring a whole mandrake root / plant. This is proving a difficult task, and I would be grateful for any help / points. I would try and grow one myself but unfortunately I don't have a garden. quintthemint@hotmail.com

Mandragora officinarum

lemmy Mon Jun 16 2008

anybody know a postal address uk of a supplier

Mandragora officinarum

Thu Aug 14 2008

Iam looking to obtain the whole plant or root or even the seeds. If any one knows were I can purchase the plant please send me an email with the address thank you.

Mandragora officinarum

Dudaim Tue Jun 2 2009

Dudaim - Mandrake Mandragora officinarum- fresh seeds available shipped worldwide!

Mandragora officinarum

Alex Fri Jan 22 2010

Try melsplants and seeds they deal with all aspects of the mandrake (mandragora officinarum)plants seeds roots and information very helpful and interesting Alex

melsplantsandseeds

Mandragora officinarum

Wizard Sat Jan 30 2010

Mandrake seeds for sale- Mandragora officinarum

www.mandrakeseeds.com

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