The mandrake (Mandragora autumnalis) is a species of the Solanaceae family, very particular due to the almost humanoid shape of its root. It is also known as madragora, aubergine or autumn mandrake.
This species of nightshade is a short-stemmed perennial from which sprouts a cluster of dark green leaves that form a rosette, and are easily mistaken for chard or lettuce. Its flowers are very showy blue-purple or lilac and its fruits are edible yellow-orange berries..
Although in the literature it appears as a species other than Mandragora officinarum, they are actually synonymous and together with the species M. caulescens, M. hybrida Y M. turcomanica represent the species of the genus Mandrake.
This plant has caused more superstitions than any other species thanks to the strange shape of its roots. According to rabbinical traditions, the madragora grew up in Eden. While, the Romans and Greeks prepared love filters with it since they believed that it eliminated sterility, in addition to doubling the money.
In ancient times it was used by sorcerers to perform their spells thanks to its hallucinogenic effects. Likewise, this plant was sought after in desert places and around it there were any kind of magical precautions. In fact, their value was such that they grew mandrakes with intertwined roots.
In recent decades, the characteristics related to the sorcery of this plant have made it a particular character in the cinema in films such as those of Harry Potter Y The Pan's Labyrinth.
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It is an herb with a very short stem reduced only to the buried layer, which forms a thick root shaped like a turnip and similar to ginger. The general shape of the plant is a rosette of leaves very similar to that formed by chard, although with a darker green hue. Its height can be about 30cm.
It is the most unique and striking structure of the plant, since it is quite developed and its appearance is almost humanoid. It is divided into a thickened nucleus that resembles a human trunk and appendages that look like limbs depart from it..
This element can be observed only until the plant is plucked from the ground, and it can measure up to a meter in depth..
The leaves are large, deep green in color, lanceolate-oblong, have wavy margins and are arranged in the shape of a rosette. The foliar morphology is very similar to a romaine lettuce or a chard.
Mandrakes lose their leaves during the summer season.
The mandrake develops bluish-purple or lilac flowers that emerge from the middle of the rosette of leaves. They are about 3 cm long and the lower part of the petals show abundant trichomes.
The flowers have five stamens of which two are longer than the others, the anthers have a pink color and are covered by white pollen.
The pistil is long and protrudes from the stamens. The ovary is located at the base of the pistil and at the end of the stigma is the yellow bi or trilobed stigma..
The calyx of the flower is more or less tubular in shape and at its base there are five fused sepals. The corolla is bell-shaped and also has five petals fused at its base.
The fruit of this particular plant is a berry with a globose shape and a yellow-orange color. In its immature state it has an intense green color. This fruit is considered tasty, with a sweet and quite toxic smell..
The seeds of this species are similar to those of the tomato. Physiologically they present an external dormancy caused by the impermeability of the cuticle or layer that protects it from water and prevents the embryo from hydrating.
To break this dormancy, the seeds must go through a stratification process in the soil for several months, even up to three years. In this process, microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria manage to scarify the cuticle and make it permeable..
Another way to eliminate external dormancy or lethargy is by immersing the seeds in a sulfuric acid solution for a few minutes, or in bleach so that this corrosive effect can permeabilize the cuticle..
Additionally, the mandrake seeds have an internal dormancy, which is caused by the embryo, which only activates after remaining in all the cold temperatures that occur in winter..
This second dormancy can be artificially broken if the seeds are stored in damp soil and in a closed container in the freezer for several months. Also, they can be kept in a container with water in the fridge and the water changed daily for 15 days..
After dormancy breaks, the seeds can germinate in both autumn and spring..
-Kingdom: Plantae
-Phylum: Tracheophyta
-Class: magnoliopsida
-Order: Solanales
-Family: Solanaceae
-Gender: Mandrake
-Species: Mandragora autumnalis
-For this species there are several synonyms such as Mandragora officinarum, Atropa acaulis, Atropa humilis, Atropa mandragora, Mandragora acaulis, Mandragora foemina, mandrake haussknechtii, mandrake hispanica, Mandragora microcarpa, Mandragora neglecta, Mandragora praecox, Mandragora praecox, Mandragora praecox, Mandragora praecox.
It lives in Italy, Croatia, Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal, the Balearic Islands, Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Greece, among others.
This Mediterranean species is not easily cultivated in another area due to the care it requires, which can be seen in the illustrations of Egyptian gardens such as the mural in the tomb of Deir-el-Medina by the sculptor Ipuy where you can see a garden watered by a canal in which you can see a madragora.
As long as the plant is not flowering or bearing fruit, it can easily be mistaken for a lettuce or a wild cardillo. On the contrary, when this nightshade presents its rounded yellow fruits, they hardly go unnoticed by an observer..
The species Mandragora autumnalis It is the most abundant in swampy areas of the Iberian Peninsula and is also known as the female or female mandrake.
Although this plant is under a low to medium impact threat, some actions are recommended to protect it and to take care of the environment where it grows, especially places like North Africa..
To conserve this species, it is recommended to protect the habitat against indiscriminate harvesting and overgrazing. Another action related to this point is that there should be greater control regarding the collection practices of mandrakes, as well as that vulnerable sites should also be fenced..
On the other hand, it is considered that the specimens that must be marketed for medicinal purposes are those that are cultivated and not wild plants. In this sense, it is recommended to legally prohibit these plants from being unearthed from their natural habitat..
Likewise, it is recommended to improve silvopastoral culture in the sense of establishing natural sanctuaries that allow protecting the existence of this plant..
Regarding the cultivation of madragora, it can be said that due to its toxic nature it is not recommended to be cultivated like any other species of nightshade. However, as it is such a particular plant with a striking appearance, it can be an interesting species as part of a garden..
In the case of growing it in a garden, it should be under supervision since it is not recommended to have it in places where there are pets or children. The toxicity of this plant is such that just handling the leaves could cause tachycardia, dizziness, even breathing problems.
The mandrake is a plant that grows in a warm climate but requires a lot of water due to its low tolerance to drought. It grows on the edge of roads, on the banks of rivers and in swampy areas.
Also, it can develop in lands with good drainage and incidence of light. The soils where it grows should preferably be soft and deep so that the roots can extend up to one meter.
However, the best way to sow this species is through rhizomes, since the roots allow them to be divided and propagate from there. Either by seed or by rhizomes, it is advisable to wait for spring to sow it.
The flowers of this species are hermaphroditic and can be pollinated by insects. The reproductive season of the plant occurs from March to April.
The species Mandragora autumnalis It is not a cultivable plant for food purposes, therefore, the information corresponding to the nutritional requirements is scarce. However, when it is part of garden plants, it can be kept with the basic compost that is applied to plants in general..
This plant has a high toxicity, therefore it is not useful as a food. On the other hand, its use is widespread in the therapeutic area. But, taking into account its toxicity, the application must be very precise since a risk of poisoning is possible rather than a cure effect..
In Greece and Rome, the madragora was used to regulate menstruation, increase fertility, or on the contrary it served as an abortifacient. In general, the madragora was associated with the feminine or with regard to the goddess Aphrodite.
On the other hand, in Rome about 2,000 years ago, doctors gave a piece of madragora root to the wounded in order to sedate them before operating or removing a limb..
Other characters indicated that the juice of the seeds of this plant cleansed the womb, and if it was mixed with sulfur, the menstrual flow stopped. At this point, it was also pointed out that applying the mandrake only the amount corresponding to the weight of half an obol caused the expulsion of the menses, embryos and fetuses.
Mandrake leaves mixed with flour are known to be beneficial for treating wounds, while the vinegar-soaked root is used for erysipelas, gout, and insomnia. The dried leaves can be smoked as a kind of cigarette and this has a favorable action against asthma, cough, bronchitis and sore throats.
In addition, mandrake roots are sliced like radish, strung on a string and smoked over the fire, and then added to either wine or vinegar.
The root serves as a sedative due to the substances it has such as atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine. The other structures such as flowers, seeds, fruits and leaves are used to combat dropsy, skin diseases, to regulate menstruation or increase fertility..
The fruit of this plant is the only edible part and is used for fertility and conception purposes. However, if it is not well administered it can also cause toxic effects.
The toxicity of the mandrake is at least occasional due to the limited availability in the places of cultivation. The symptoms caused are similar to those produced by belladonna and to treat them it is recommended to induce vomiting, and if this does not occur the stomach should be washed with 2 or 4 liters of water containing activated charcoal..
In the event that the symptoms are severe such as a very rapid tachycardia, 1 mg of physostigmine silicate should be given intravenously under medical supervision until the symptoms are controlled. This drug is reserved for atropine poisoning..
A mandrake root can be placed above the fireplace for home protection, prosperity, and fertility. Otherwise, the root can be held or hung from the head of the bed to protect dreams at night, and taking it with it attracts love and protects from disease.
For a mandrake root to become active, it must be placed to dry for three days in a prominent place in the home, and then soaked in water overnight. After this the root can be used for protection rituals.
The madragora normally has slugs or snails as pests, since these animals are immune to the alkaloid substances of this species. However, it could be attacked by some nightshade diseases in general.
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