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{{taxonomy|image=Mandrake.jpg|caption=Large bunch of mandrakes in a field|kingdom=Plantae|phylum=Magnoliophyta|class=Magnoliopsida|order=Solanales|family=Solanaceae|genus=Mandragora|species=M. officinarum|binomialname=Mandragora officinarum}}

{{taxonomy|image=Mandrake.jpg|caption=Large bunch of mandrakes in a field|kingdom=Plantae|phylum=Magnoliophyta|class=Magnoliopsida|order=Solanales|family=Solanaceae|genus=Mandragora|species=M. officinarum|binomialname=Mandragora officinarum}}

The true '''mandrake''', also known as the '''European mandrake''' or '''love apple''' or '''Satan's apple''', is a flowering plant (genus ''Mandragora'') of the family [[Solanaceae]]. It enjoys a dubious renown for magical properties and is definitely known as a source of potent alkaloids that can have a medicinal value or be abused as hallucinogens.

The true '''mandrake''', also known as the '''European mandrake''' or '''love apple''' or '''Satan's apple''', is a [[flowering plant]] (genus ''Mandragora'') of the family [[Solanaceae]]. It enjoys a dubious renown for magical properties and is definitely known as a source of potent alkaloids that can have a medicinal value or be abused as hallucinogens.

== Anatomy ==

== Anatomy ==

The mandrake is characterized by its large, brown root, growing 3 to 4 feet deep into the ground. It is sometimes single but usually bifid,<ref name=ModHerb>Grieve, M. "[http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mandra10.html Entry for 'Mandrake']." ''[http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.html A Modern Herbal]''. Accessed January 2, 2008</ref> and in fact the bifid root strongly resembles the [[human]] form.<ref name=anesthesia>Authors unknown. "[http://www.wordfocus.com/anesthes-wrd-hist.html#mandragora The Mandragora Plant&mdash;Myths and Other Information]." ''Anesthesia Historical Background''. Accessed January 2, 2008.</ref><ref name=Mythica>"[http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/mandrake.html Mandrake]." ''Encyclopedia Mythica''. 2008. Encyclopedia Mythica Online. Accessed January 2, 2008.</ref>

The mandrake is characterized by its large, brown root, growing 3 to 4 feet deep into the ground. It is sometimes single but usually bifid,<ref name=ModHerb>Grieve, M. "[http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mandra10.html Entry for 'Mandrake']." ''[http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.html A Modern Herbal]''. Accessed January 2, 2008</ref> and in fact the bifid root strongly resembles the [[human]] form.<ref name=anesthesia>Authors unknown. "[http://www.wordfocus.com/anesthes-wrd-hist.html#mandragora The Mandragora Plant&mdash;Myths and Other Information]." ''Anesthesia Historical Background''. Accessed January 2, 2008.</ref><ref name=Mythica>"[http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/mandrake.html Mandrake]." ''Encyclopedia Mythica''. 2008. Encyclopedia Mythica Online. Accessed January 2, 2008.</ref>

The dark-green leaves spring from the crown of the root. At first they stand straight up, but eventually they grow [[12 inches]] long and 4 to [[5 inches]] wide and lie on the ground. The flowers arise from among the leaves. Each flower has its own stalk that stands 3 or 4 inches high. The flowers resemble primrose flowers, with five whitish-purple segments.

The dark-green leaves spring from the crown of the root. At first they stand straight up, but eventually they grow 12 inches long and 4 to 5 inches wide and lie on the ground. The flowers arise from among the leaves. Each flower has its own stalk that stands 3 or 4 inches high. The flowers resemble primrose flowers, with five whitish-purple segments.

Eventually the flowers form smooth round fruit, deep yellow, about the size of a small apple and smelling like an apple when cut.<ref name=ModHerb/><ref name=Monstrous>Authors unknown. "[http://monsters.monstrous.com/mandrake.htm Entry for 'Mandrake']." ''Monstrous.com''. Accessed January 2, 2008.</ref>

Eventually the flowers form smooth round fruit, deep yellow, about the size of a small apple and smelling like an apple when cut.<ref name=ModHerb/><ref name=Monstrous>Authors unknown. "[http://monsters.monstrous.com/mandrake.htm Entry for 'Mandrake']." ''Monstrous.com''. Accessed January 2, 2008.</ref>

== References ==

== References ==

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[[Category:Vegetables]]

[[Category:Vegetables]]