Mar 17
Plant of the Day
Tuesday 18 March 2026
I found my container grown Mandragora officinarum (common mandrake, devil's apple, devil's candle, medicinal mandrake) was flowering. This perennial produces a fleshy tap root (so a deep pot is required) with a rosette of dark green leaves. In early spring a cluster of greenish-white flowers is produced which if pollinated will be followed by egg-shaped yellow fruit.
In the Order Beds at Cambridge Botanic Garden Mandragora autumnalis (autumn-flowering mandrake) was flowering with the typically deep purple-blue flowers.
Beware that both species are toxic if eaten and gloves need to be worn when working with these plants.
Jill Raggett