Solanaceae is the name of the potato family. The mandrake belongs to this family and grows in abundance throughout Syria and all of southern Europe. In early spring leaves shoot out from the root to form a circle flat on the ground. These are large, almost a foot long and five inches wide at the broadest part. The plant resembles spinach at this stage. The flowers that follow are cup-shaped and appear on a single stem. They are creamy yellow with many veins of purple. The small bright-red fruit is shaped like a tomato and soft and pulpy when cut open. Though it has a peculiar smell, it is much desired and considered a delightful delicacy. The mandrake root is often quite large. It is dark brown and rugged, with a general resemblance to a human body shape. This unusual shape accounts for superstition that has been associated with it from earliest times.
The Jews considered the mandrake a certain charm against evil. Others believed that mischievous elves would find its strange odor unbearable. As indicated in the story of Rachel and Leah, this plant was thought to make one become fertile.
Genesis 30:1 (KJV) And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
Genesis 30:14 (KJV) And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.
Mandragora officinarum L.
Nightshade family (Solanaceae)
A stemless herbaceous perennial with ovate foot-long leaves rising directly from the root. The flowers are 1 inch long, purple or greenish yellow, followed by an oblong greenish berry. Native of southern Europe.
Cultivation and Propagation: The mandragore is hardy throughout the U.S. It likes a light, deep soil, as the roots run far down. They will do poorly in a soil that is chalky or excessively gravelly. If the soil is too wet in winter, the roots will rot. It is propagated from seeds which should be sown in deep flats or, better, singly in pots. These should be kept well-watered and when they reach a good size they should be carefully set out at least 2 feet apart.
Harvesting: The roots should be dug after the second or third year. If left in the ground they will grow to a great age, and will have large branching roots up to four feet long.
Note: Do not confuse this Old World mandrake with the American mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum) whose roots are sold by many herb companies under the name "Mandrake roots." These roots are a powerful cathartic poison. The plants are unmistakably different.
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