Mandrake, official (Mandragora officinarum) seeds, dried, organic

Family: Nightshade (Solanaceae)

Hardy to Zones 6 to 10

(White Mandrake, Mandragora officinalis) Perennial.  Native to southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean. Rare. Traditional usage (TWM): fertility, aphrodisiac, a magical totem, relieve pain, promote sleep.  Source of tropane alkaloids–do not ingest.   Plant prefers alkaline pH—deep, sandy soils, dry, in the part-shade.  The plant begins its vegetative cycle in the midwinter, flowers in the spring, fruits, and goes quickly dormant in the summer, then re-sprouts from beneath the callus in fall or spring.  Keep crowns in perfect drainage.  I plant mine in deep sand mulch on the shady side of rocks. Flower color is variable, some plants making vibrant purple flowers, others flowering like washed-out lavender.  Flower to 16 inches, giving way to green, apple-like fruits that eventually turn yellowish and soft before harvest.  The smell is exquisite.  Sow seeds as soon as possible upon receipt. It makes sense to put them in a small jar of water or willow tea in the fridge for up to 2 weeks before planting.  This seems to prime them for faster germination.  Sow these cold water soaked seeds about 1/4 ich deep in sandy, alkaline mix in a flat or preferably in a gallon pot.  Tamp securely and keep very warm for fast germination (often as fast as 30 days under lights). If not concerned about organic status of planting, an overnight pre-soak in very dilute GA3 will stimulate very rapid germination.   Alternatively, place pot in the shadehouse or in the greenhouse in a relatively cool, shaded area.  Lacking the shadehouse or the greenhouse, you might try a sheltered spot outdoors. Planted in this manner, germination may take as long as 12 months.  Seedlings and indeed older plants senesce in summer and resprout from beneath the callus, usually january to february zones 7 and up, or in colder zones, in early spring.   Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart

13 seeds per standard packet

Large packet contains 100 seeds

Certified Organically Grown (INTERNATIONAL ORDERS OK)

No replacements on mandrake seed.