Common Mandrake

Seeds: 10  / Botanical name: Mandragora officinarum

Mythical ritual and magical plant used as a magic aid

Myths and legends abound surrounding the mandrake. This sprawling perennial belongs to the nightshade family. This is readily apparent from its round fruits, which can grow up to 2 cm in diameter. The rosette of leaves can reach an average height of 90 cm. The chalice-shaped flowers are violet and located in the center of the plant. But the most striking feature lies underground: the fleshy root, which has always captured the human imagination. Its roots can reach an incredible depth of up to 60 cm, and it grows in a tuberous form with usually two runners that resemble a human body. This characteristic has earned it countless names such as mandrake, gallows man, root servant, or madder root. Mandrakes were used as medicinal and magical plants, considered lucky charms and aphrodisiacs. As an ingredient in love potions and witches' flying ointments, it was one of the most important components of witches' kitchens. In medicine, it was said to have pain-relieving and narcotic effects. Nowadays, it is used in homeopathy and is believed to promote sleep and relieve pain.

Natural habitat: The mandrake originates from the Mediterranean region.