Mandragora Plant

There are 6 species in this genus, the most common of which is Mandragora officinarum. The perennial plants form a leaf-rosette with no stalk. The leaves can grow up to a foot in size and are between 4 - 5 inches , sharply pointed. When they first emerge they stand erect, but gradually flatten out. The officinarum variety is yellow-greenish; the autumnalis variety is purple. The flowers are born on separate stalks, which emerge from the centre of the leaf-rosette.  They later give rise to the golden yellowish fruits, that are often referred to as 'apples'. The fruit has a pleasant scent. The scent of the apples was also regarded as an aphrodisiac and believed to enhance potency and fertility (used as an amulet). The root can grow to over half a meter in length and is often strangely forked, which has given rise to anthropomorphic associations, likening their appearance to a human male or female body shape. 
Mandrake originates in the eastern Mediterranean region.
The most important magical plant of the Middle Ages, today has been all but forgotten. The preachers of the Age of Enlightenment have successfully dispelled all the myths and tales that have spun up around this plant through the Ages. Today it is not even used medicinally anymore. Yet back in the days of ancient Egypt it was well known and respected enough to get a mention in the famous Ebers Papyrus, an ancient document dating back to about 1700 BC, which lists about 700 medicinal plants. Back then it was thought to increase fertility and was valued as an aphrodisiac. Mandrake was also known to have narcotic properties and in Antiquity was often used as an anaesthetic for surgical procedures. 
 It was the root in particular that emanated this mysterious power to fascinate.