Plant Profile: Mandrake - Mandragora officinarum

This week on The Horti-Culturalists we're taking a close look at a plant that has almost mythic qualities to it! Yes, Mandragora officinarum, most commonly known as Mandrake! So many beliefs, legends and myths swirl about this plant and being featured in the Harry Potter books certainly added to it's mixed press! But here it is, a beautiful winter flowering plant with incredible visual appeal; large dramatic leaves and clusters of large purple bell flowers...what's not to love! And like many things in the garden, it is poisonous, but then so is the daffodil! Just don't eat them!
The poisons garden Stephen mentions is this one: www.alnwickgar...