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Autumn Mandrake (Mandragora autumnalis)
kingdom: Plantae
division: Magnoliophyta
class: Magnoliopsida
order: Solanales
family: Solanaceae
Autumn Mandrake is a perennial plant with thick tuberous roots, native to Southern Europe. Its violet flowers (shown in the photo) bloom in late autumn (hence the species name). The roots are usually devided in two, often having a rough semblance to the human form. This was the one of the reasons why the mandrake was related to magic and rituals from the ancient times, the other reason being the chemical substances it contains.
From Wikipedia:
Like many of its relatives of the Solanaceae (nightshades family), Mandragora contains a range of tropane alkaloid drugs of: atropine, hyoscyamine, and others. The plant, alone or as an alcoholic infusion, has a long history of use as an anaesthetic.
A frequently-quoted example of early chemical warfare is an incident from 200 BC, when Carthaginian defenders of a city withdrew, leaving behind quantities of wine laced with mandragora. The invading Romans drank the wine, were rendered insensible, and were killed by the returning defenders. |
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