Mandragora autumnalis

Mandragora autumnalis is a perennial herb with thick tuberous roots. There is a legend that at night Mandragora's flowers shine hence the common name "Devil's Candle". Even on a cloudy day you can see that the centers of flowers stand out, "shine", it is noticable when you take a picture with a flashlight - flowers have special reflector properties. Mandrake roots contain the alkaloid hyoscymine that is used for motion sickness and as a preoperative anesthetic. In early times Mandrake had magical properties ascribed to it because the roots sometimes have humanlike form. If the plants become too dry they will exhibit summer dormancy. Mandragora autumnalis is propagated by division of the tubers in late autumn or by seed. Seed needs a period of cold moist stratification before sowing. All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested.Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction.