Mandragora species should not be confused with American mandrake, also known as mayapple ( Podophyllum peltatum), or English mandrake ( Bryonia alba). caulescens was first described by British botanist and explorer Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1883.Īn accepted species recognized today, several subspecies have been described with purportedly unique characteristics, but taxonomists now consider these specimens to actually be Himalayan mandrake species plants. caulescens, commonly known as Himalayan mandrake, is native to the Himalayas, namely in regions of southwest China and Myanmar. officinarum, perhaps a local variety or subspecies with slightly different characteristics unique to this geographic location. turcomanica, or Turkmenian mandrake, is native to the Kopet Dag Mountains in Iran and is considered rare – some taxonomists will tell you this is also M. Two additional species you may come across are M. Of course, the question remains: how many species of Mandragora are there? Many botanists have differed in their opinions over the years, and you’ll find a long list of outdated synonyms throughout various guidebooks and reference materials. The scent of the berries is often strong, and said to be pleasant.Īfter fruiting in summer, plants go dormant and reemerge in winter, putting on new growth. The fruits they produce in summer start out green and turn a yellow to orangish color as they mature and ripen. The large, green, oval-shaped or elongated, wrinkled leaves grow low to the ground in a rosette that may spread to two feet in diameter, with a height of about one foot.Ĭlusters of alluring upright flowers on short stems bloom in spring, with five petals each in shades of purple. The most striking feature is a forked taproot which may be said to resemble the human body in its form, with a head and torso, and branching arms and legs. Aside from producing these toxins, all species of mandrake share similar traits.
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