Mandragora officinarum aka Mandrake

Mandragora officinarum, or common mandrake, is a deciduous perennial. It belongs to the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Kew places its native range from northern Italy to the northwestern Balkans. PFAF lists a wider range across the Mediterranean region. Its listed habitats include open woods, abandoned fields, and rocky ground. Other names include devil's apple and medicinal mandrake.

A thick, fleshy taproot supports a rosette of dark green leaves. Each leaf can reach about 1 foot [0.3 m] long. New leaves stand upright, then spread flat against the ground. Garden plants reach 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 m] tall and wide. They take two to five years to reach full size. In spring, bell-shaped flowers rise from the rosette's centre. The blooms have a greenish-white base with purple markings. Yellow fruit follows the flowers. PFAF describes fruit about the size of a small apple. It also notes a strong scent like apples.

Give this plant a warm spot with full sun. It needs deep soil that drains well. The RHS lists chalk, loam, and sand as suitable soils. It accepts acid, neutral, or alkaline soil. Shelter it from cold winds that dry the leaves. Keep it safe from excess wet during winter. Once it has settled, avoid moving it or disturbing its roots. The RHS gives it a hardiness rating of H4. PFAF lists USDA zones 6–9. It suits rock gardens, beds, and borders beside walls. Cottage gardens and informal planting schemes are other suggested settings.

No pruning is needed, and disease is not a usual problem. Slugs and snails may attack the plant. Sow seed when ripe or during autumn. Root cuttings taken in winter offer another way to propagate it. PFAF does not flag it as a weed risk. Its garden interest comes from its low leaf rosette, flowers, and fruit.

All parts are poisonous, including material from the root. The RHS warns that eating it harms people, dogs, and cats. Wear gloves and protective gear when handling the plant. PFAF records past food use of the fruit, but questions its safety. Do not treat that record as proof that it is edible. Mandrake also has a long history of medicinal use. Its root contains poisonous alkaloids and once served as an anaesthetic. PFAF advises against its use as a herbal medicine. Reported poisoning signs include dry mouth, flushed skin, and abnormal heart rhythms.