Mandrake, love apple

Definition

= wild perennial plant without stem; with large, fleshy, forked roots; with large oval leaves arranged in a rosette, purple flowers and yellow-green fruits; ◄ mandragora officinarum; ► used medicinally as narcotic and purgative; ≈ because its roots resemble the lower part of the human body this plant was generally believed to induce conception; its fragrance was considered sweet