Mandragora

(măn-drah-go'rah.) [From Gr. mandragoras.] (Bot.) The Mandrakes, a genus of plants, O. Atropacese, natives of the East, and having very short stems, with a thick fleshy often forked root, from the summit of which the entire ovate lance-shaped leaves appear to proceed in compact tufts. The root of M. officinal is was thought to resemble the human form, and many superstitions were connected with it, such as the opinion that it uttered a shriek when torn out of the ground. It was used in love incantations. An acronarcotic poison resides in the juice, which was once employed in medicine, being reckoned among " drowsy syrups." [s. 574]