Mandrake
Mandragora officinarum
- Native to:
- Italy, Lebanon-Syria, NW. Balkan Pen.
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova,Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova,H. Zell,Daniel Cahen (www.inaturalist.org),Grzegorz Grzejszczak (www.inaturalist.org),tylototriton (www.inaturalist.org),Sam Thomas (www.inaturalist.org),Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Grzegorz Grzejszczak (www.inaturalist.org),Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova,Sarah Faulwetter (www.inaturalist.org),Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Solanaceae
- Genus:
- Mandragora
- Species:
- Mandragora officinarum
- USDA Symbol:
- MAOF
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- white, purple, green
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to Mediterranean regions, prefers calcareous soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Germination is erratic and can take several months. Fresh seed germinates more reliably; light not required.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI