Mandrake, Love apples, Spring mandrake
Mandragora officinarum

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

A perennial herb. It grows 12-15 cm high and spreads 20-25 cm wide. The taproot is long and sometimes forked. The leaves are in a ring and are dark green and corrugated. They can be 30 cm long. The flowers are on a single stalk which grows from the centre of this ring. The fruit are round and yellow.

The roots contain many alkaloids. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

Taproots establish best in deep, moist well-drained soil. It does best in a sunny location and should be protected from cold winds. It can stand frost to -5°C. It suits hardiness zones 5-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Belgium, China, Europe, India, Israel, Italy, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The fruit are sweet and edible. CAUTION: The fruit are reported as poisonous.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed. It does not transplant easily.

Its other names

Local names

Devil's apples, Podlišček

Synonyms

Possibly same as Mandragora autumnalis