Atropa mandragora

Common Name: Mandrake

Family: N.O. Solanaceae

Synonyms---Mandragora. Satan's Apple

Part Used---Root

Mandrake, a  member of the nightshade family which includes Datura, Mandragora, Atropa belladonna, Lycium barbarum, Physalis philadelphica, Physalis peruviana, Capsicum, Solanum (potato, tomato, eggplant), Nicotiana and Petunia, is a powerful herb with a checkered past.

Appearing in shape like a parsnip it was cultivated as early as 1652 in England and is grown easily in southern European countries. According to legend, when the root is dug up, it screams, killing all within earshot.  However, early literature includes complex directions for harvesting a mandrake root in relative safety.

Plant Characteristics:

The mandrake root is large and brown, growing three and four feet deep with groups of two or three branches. The root's crown has deep green leaves which stand erect, and can, when fully formed, hang all over the surface of the ground. 

The propensity to split into branching parts gives it's human characteristic. Small wonder that it has a long history of metaphysical properties. 

The flowers form each on their own stalks ranging between three and four inches and are similar to primroses. Fruit bearing, their approx size and shape resembles a dwarf apple.  Being a fan of the herb I would dearly love to grow mandrake in my garden, however, it grows more comfortably in zones 6-9 and I reside in zone 5.

 Legendary Harvest Requirements:

At the hour of midnight, with winds from the desired direction, one should draw with their working knife or willow wand three consecutive circles around the crown's exposed green foliage. Then, digging around the root itself, care should be taken not to touch the root itself until it is separated from the ground. There needs to be enough room to tie a thick string or rope around the foliage.

In the past, given the shrill, ear-piecing scream that is said to come from uprooting this plant, executing this task required the partnership of a white dog.  The  collar was tied to the rope while the root was still held fast to the ground.  Then, baited by a flung piece of meat, the poor animal would pull against it's restraint to reach the bribe, only to drop dead from the cries of the mandrake that broke the silence of the night.  Stuffing one's ears with wax was a good idea.

Care and Feeding 

There are, to this day, requirements for the care of the mandrake root that must be strictly adhered to in order to avoid disaster. Once unearthed, the root should be wrapped in a white or red cloth and placed into a basket as contact with the ground through the cloth could result in the power of the mandrake returning the the earth leaving behind a withered and empty root.

Taken home one's new charge should be spoken to with the utmost respect; bathed in spirits or milk on a weekly basis and fed milk sweetened with honey daily. Even a bit of its owner's blood added to the meal on an occasional basis is said to strengthen the bond. Tucking the little fellow in every night is part of the chores that must be performed, the bed should have a lid and resemble a coffin.

Consulted on all matters of health, love, protection, household wishes and matters of prosperity the new resident should be placed on the mantle daily in order to thwart misfortune and evil as the ruler of all it observes.

Never to be given away to another person, it was and is the owners' responsibility to pass the mandrake down through the family, or sold for a reasonable price, to someone who agreed to the details of it's continued care.  

However, if this working partnership goes astray, for any reason,  the mandrake will withhold all duties, curse the family and its descendants, blighting hearth and home.  


Given that bit of information procure your charge with care and consideration.