Mandragora autumnalis - Mandrake - (Solanaceae)

Mandrake is the subject of many myths, tales and legends - the roots resemble the human form and are rumoured to scream when pulled out of the ground!

Mandrake

The egg-shaped orange berries of Mandrake

Mandrake is a member of the Solanaceae (Potato) family of plants. Its large shiny green leaves form a flat rosette on the ground and it has mauve or violet flowers that usually appear from September to December, although they sometimes also appear in the spring. The fruits are yellow or orange and are egg-shaped. The roots contain mildly poisonous alkaloids and have historically been used in the treatment of pain and to alleviate sleeplessness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The flowers of MandrakeThe plant grows in waste ground and other stony places both inland and on the coast. It can be found throughout most of Europe.

The plant on this page was photographed in Crete in early April.

Mandrake flowers - picture by kind permission of Anne Horsfall