The legend of screaming mandrakes of the genus Mandragora is enough reason to grow these fascinating members of the Solanaceae (tomato, potato) family. I’m always reminded of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins 1956 classic, I Put a Spell on You, every time I’m working nearby. We’ve actually tried all four species in the genus, but so far have only had luck with the Iranian/Turkmenistan native, Mandragora turcomanica. Below is our plant in the garden this week. Because the root shape resembles a man, and is full of hallucinogenic alkaloids, mandrakes have long been used in pagan and other magic rituals, in addition to their medicinal uses as an aphrodisiac, anesthetic, narcotic, and anti-rheumatic.
