Description
Mandragora – Mandrake –
There are 6 species of low growing perennials, with fleshy taproots in this genus. They occur in dry, stony areas from the Mediterranean region to the Himalayas. They produce large basal rosettes of ovate to lance shaped leaves, and are grown for their stemless or short stemmed, pale blue tubular to bell shaped, spring borne flowers, with triangular lobes, held singly or in basal clusters. Flowers are followed by yellow fleshy fruits which are spherical or ellipsoid. Much lore surrounds the vaguely anthropomorphic roots of certain mandrakes. The narcotic and hallucinogenic properties of M. officinarum have been employed for various purposes including surgery and witchcraft in medieval times. Grow in a rock garden or at the base of a warm, sunny wall. Alkaloids in the plant may be harmful if ingested.
Grow in deep, moderately fertile, humus rich, well drained soil in full sun or part shade. Shelter from cold, drying winds and protect from excessive winter moisture. Avoid disturbance once established.
Prone to slugs and snails.
M. officinarum – Common Mandrake – Devil’s Apples – Love Apple – This perennial from Northern Italy, Western Balkans, Greece, and Western Turkey grows 6-10″ tall and 12″ wide. It produces rosettes of ovate to lance shaped, wavy edged, dark green leaves, to 12″ long, upright at first, then lying flat on the ground. In early spring it bears basal clusters of upward facing, tubular-bell shaped, greenish white flowers, to 1″ across, sometimes stained purple, followed by spherical green fruit which ripens to yellow, to 1 1/4″ across.
Zones 5-8
