Cathy Madden
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A mandrake is the root of a plant, historically derived either from plants of the genus Mandragora (in the family Solanaceae) found in the Mediterranean region, or from other species, such as Bryonia alba (the English mandrake, in the family Cucurbitaceae) or the American mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum in the family Berberidaceae ...
Mandrake, genus of six species of hallucinogenic plants in the nightshade family native to the Mediterranean region and the Himalayas. The plants are particularly noted for their potent roots, which somewhat resemble the human form and have a long history of use in religious and superstitious practices.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Mar 3, 2021 · Mandrake is a plant with a poisonous root that has been used for medicine, magic and cooking since ancient times. Learn about its origin, common names, properties and how to use it safely.
- Mandrake
- Glossy yellow to orange
- Mandragora officinarum
Jan 12, 2016 · Learn about the mandrake, a nightshade plant with hallucinogenic and narcotic properties, and its role in witchcraft, sorcery, and herbal medicine. Discover how witches and sorcerers used the mandrake to heal, love, and conceive, and how it became a symbol of danger and death.
- Angelica Calabrese
Jul 13, 2015 · The mandrake is just one of 2,500 species belonging to the Solanaceae family, which also contains tomatoes, potatoes, chillies, aubergines, peppers, tobacco, deadly nightshade and henbane - they...
Mandragora officinarum is the type species of the plant genus Mandragora in the nightshade family Solanaceae. [2] It is often known as mandrake, although this name is also used for other plants. As of 2015, sources differed significantly in the species they use for Mandragora plants native to the Mediterranean region.
Dec 4, 2021 · This article explores the origin and meaning of 292 names of mandrake (Mandragora spp.) in 41 languages, based on its morphology, properties, uses, and legends. It reveals the plant's diverse and rich cultural heritage, from the Near East to Europe, and its association with magic, witchcraft, and narcotics.
