Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum, Sp. Pl.: 181 (1753))

Family: Solanaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 181 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Mandragora

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. Italy to NW. Balkan Pen.

Description

Mandrake, scientifically known as Mandragora officinarum, is a fascinating and historically significant plant belonging to the Solanaceae family. Indigenous to regions spanning from Northern Italy to the Northwest Balkan Peninsula, this plant has captivated human imagination and use for centuries.

The mandrake is a perennial herb known for its distinctive root, which often bears a humanoid shape, contributing to its mythical and magical reputation. This characteristic has led to a myriad of folklore and legends surrounding the plant. In ancient times, it was believed that the mandrake possessed magical properties, and it was frequently employed in rituals and potions. The root is toxic, containing alkaloids such as hyoscyamine and scopolamine, which were historically utilized for their narcotic and hallucinogenic effects.

Mandrake grows best in well-drained, sandy soils and typically prefers a sunny environment. It produces a rosette of ovate leaves that lie close to the ground. In spring, it blossoms white or purplish flowers that give way to globular berries, which can be yellow or orange when ripe.

Due to its toxic nature, mandrake must be handled with care. Despite this, it has found its place in traditional medicine where it was cautiously used as an analgesic, sedative, and anesthetic. However, the use of mandrake has diminished substantially with the advent of safer pharmacological alternatives.

The historical significance of Mandragora officinarum is well-documented in various cultural texts and botanical references, one of the earliest being recorded in Sp. Pl. in 1753 by the celebrated botanist Carl Linnaeus, denoted by the author abbreviation “L.”

In contemporary times, mandrake is more commonly appreciated for its role in ethnobotany and historical studies rather than for practical applications, serving as a profound example of the intersection between nature and human culture.

Common Names

Deu: alraunwurzel, echte alraune
Eng: mandrake, mediterranean mandrake, autumn mandrake
Swe: alruna
Fra: mandragore
Por: mandrágora
Spa: mandrágora
En: Mandrake, Autumn mandrake, Mediterranean mandrake, Love Apple
Ar: يبروح خريفي
Az: Payız mandraqorası
Ca: Mandràgora
Zh: 秋茄蔘
Nl: Alruin
Fr: Mandragore, Pomme d’amour, Mandragore officinale
De: Alraunwurzel, Echte Alraune, Alraune
Pt: Mandrágora
Ru: Мандрагора лекарственная
Es: Mandrágora, Berenguenilla
Sv: Alruna

Synonyms

• Atropa humilis (Salisb.)
• Mandragora vernalis (Bertol.)
• Mandragora mas (Garsault)
• Atropa mandragora (L.)
• Mandragora officinalis (Mill. ex DC.)
• Mandragora praecox (Sweet)
• Mandragora acaulis (Gaertn.)
• Mandragora neglecta (G.Don)
• Atropa acaulis (Stokes)

Distribution

• Italy (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Nov 29, 2019 by Goat’s Table (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 7, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2013 by Tela Botanica − garcia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2019 by Goat’s Table (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 21, 2021 by Jiménez (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 12, 2021 by Serhan Keser (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2022 by Mochana Teresita (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 10, 2020 by Blanca Antonio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 19, 2022 by Gokce Didim (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2013 by Tela Botanica − garcia (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 18, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 5, 2020 by Jérôme Philippe (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 7, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 27, 2021 by José Manuel Bustillos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2021 by Giorgio Malvezzi (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Nov 19, 2020 by Gatto Alberto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2022 by Jiménez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 2, 2022 by oueslati akrem (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Feb 17, 2021 by Syr Asd (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5341748)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:816733-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Mandragora officinarum L.)

Specifications

Growth