Mandrake, common name for any of a genus of herbs. The
species to which the name is particularly applied has
two varieties, vernal and autumnal, both native to the
Mediterranean and Himalayan regions and especially to
Greece. The whole plant has a fetid odor. As late as the
Middle Ages, a dose of the oddly shaped root was sometimes
given to patients as a narcotic before surgical operations.
In the United States mayapple is often called mandrake.
The
mandrake has traditionally been the object of superstition,
largely because of the resemblance of its forked root to
the human figure. Used as an aphrodisiac, the mandrake was
also variously regarded as a charm for pregnancy, for invulnerability,
and for discovering treasure.
Scientific
classification: Mandrakes constitute the genus Mandragora,
of the family Solanaceae. The species to which the name
is particularly applied is classified as Mandragora officinarum.
"Mandrake"
Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001 http://encarta.msn.com
© 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Mandrake
FAMILY
: Solanaceae (Nightshade) GENUS : Mandragora SPECIES : officinarum
IDENTIFICATION
: Slightly notched leaves with almost no stalks grow from
a rosette. Flowers are greenish yellow with very short stalks.
Round fruits that are first green, then turn into yellow
berries.
RANGE
: Southern Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor, Himalayas
USES
: Traditionally known as an aphrodisiac and closely associated
with witchcraft
ACTIVE
CONSTITUENTS : Tropane alkaloids
CAUTION
: Mandrake can easily cause death by respiratory paralysis.
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