1.
[syn: mandrake, devil's apples, Mandragora officinarum]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
mandrake \man"drake\ (m[a^]n"dr[=a]k), n. [AS. mandragora, L.
mandragoras, fr. Gr. mandrago`ras: cf. F. mandragore.]
1. (Bot.) A low plant (Mandragora officinarum) of the
Nightshade family, having a fleshy root, often forked, and
supposed to resemble a man. It was therefore supposed to
have animal life, and to cry out when pulled up. All parts
of the plant are strongly narcotic. It is found in the
Mediterranean region.
[1913 Webster]
And shrieks like mandrakes, torn out of the earth,
That living mortals, hearing them, run mad. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The mandrake of Scripture was perhaps the same plant,
but proof is wanting.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Bot.) The May apple (Podophyllum peltatum). See May
apple under May, and Podophyllum. [U.S.]
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
Mandragora officinarum
n 1: a plant of southern Europe and North Africa having purple
flowers, yellow fruits and a forked root formerly thought
to have magical powers [syn: mandrake, devil's apples,
Mandragora officinarum]