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Useful Temperate Plants

Mandragora turcomanica

Mizg.

Solanaceae

+ Synonyms

Common Name: Turkmenian Mandrake

No Image.

General Information

Mandragora turcomanica is a more or less stemless, herbaceous perennial plant forming a rosette of leaves from a deep taproot. The leaves are up to 80cm long and 60cm wide, forming a large rosette up to 150cm in diameter[
74
Title
Flora of the USSR.
Publication
 
Author
Komarov. V. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Israel Program for Scientific Translation
Year
1968
ISBN
-
Description
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine.
Although as of 2018 this plant is not included in the IUCN Red List of Endangered Plants[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
], the plant has a restricted range, being found in Turkmenistan and possibly in Iran and is at possible threat[
1316
Title
A revision of the genus Mandragora (Solanaceae)
Publication
Bull. Nat. Hist. Mus. Lond. (Bot.) 28(1): 17-40
Author
Ungricht S.; Knapp S; Press J.R.
Publisher
 
Year
1998
ISBN
0968-0446
Description
A detailed study of the genus, including information on the historical and modern medicinal uses
].

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant contain alkaloids and are poisonous[
19
Title
Poisonous Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Stary. F.
Publisher
Hamlyn
Year
1983
ISBN
0-600-35666-3
Description
Not very comprehensive, but easy reading.
,
21
Title
The Herb Book.
Publication
 
Author
Lust. J.
Publisher
Bantam books
Year
1983
ISBN
0-553-23827-2
Description
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.
].

Botanical References

74
Title
Flora of the USSR.
Publication
 
Author
Komarov. V. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Israel Program for Scientific Translation
Year
1968
ISBN
-
Description
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
1316
Title
A revision of the genus Mandragora (Solanaceae)
Publication
Bull. Nat. Hist. Mus. Lond. (Bot.) 28(1): 17-40
Author
Ungricht S.; Knapp S; Press J.R.
Publisher
 
Year
1998
ISBN
0968-0446
Description
A detailed study of the genus, including information on the historical and modern medicinal uses

Range

Central Asia - Turkmenistan

Habitat

Stony and rubbly slopes, growing with thickets of Paliurus spina-christi, and along dry river beds in mountain valleys; at elevations around 500 - 700 metres[
74
Title
Flora of the USSR.
Publication
 
Author
Komarov. V. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Israel Program for Scientific Translation
Year
1968
ISBN
-
Description
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *
Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitPerennial
Height0.20 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Mandragora turkomanica commences growth with the beginning of the rainy season in the autumn, growing through the winter, flowering in late winter to early spring before dying down and becoming dormant through the hot, dry summer[
74
Title
Flora of the USSR.
Publication
 
Author
Komarov. V. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Israel Program for Scientific Translation
Year
1968
ISBN
-
Description
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Species in this genus generally prefer a deep humus-rich light soil and a sheltered position in full sun[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
], though they also tolerate some shade[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Prefers a circumneutral soil[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
] and dislikes chalk or gravel[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
]. Plants are liable to rot in wet or ill-draining soils[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
].

Edible Uses

Fruit[
1316
Title
A revision of the genus Mandragora (Solanaceae)
Publication
Bull. Nat. Hist. Mus. Lond. (Bot.) 28(1): 17-40
Author
Ungricht S.; Knapp S; Press J.R.
Publisher
 
Year
1998
ISBN
0968-0446
Description
A detailed study of the genus, including information on the historical and modern medicinal uses
]. The pulpy fruit is juicy with an aroma of melons[
1316
Title
A revision of the genus Mandragora (Solanaceae)
Publication
Bull. Nat. Hist. Mus. Lond. (Bot.) 28(1): 17-40
Author
Ungricht S.; Knapp S; Press J.R.
Publisher
 
Year
1998
ISBN
0968-0446
Description
A detailed study of the genus, including information on the historical and modern medicinal uses
]. The yellow to orange, globose fruit can be 40 - 60mm in diameter[
1316
Title
A revision of the genus Mandragora (Solanaceae)
Publication
Bull. Nat. Hist. Mus. Lond. (Bot.) 28(1): 17-40
Author
Ungricht S.; Knapp S; Press J.R.
Publisher
 
Year
1998
ISBN
0968-0446
Description
A detailed study of the genus, including information on the historical and modern medicinal uses
].
Some caution is advised in the use of this fruit, it is quite possibly poisonous. See notes above on toxicity[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Medicinal

We have no specific information, but the plant is used locally for medicinal purposes[
74
Title
Flora of the USSR.
Publication
 
Author
Komarov. V. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Israel Program for Scientific Translation
Year
1968
ISBN
-
Description
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The roots are a rich source of alkaloids, which can be narcotic and hallucinogenic (see Mandragora officinarum).

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame in the autumn[
188
Title
The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Brickell. C.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd.
Year
1990
ISBN
0-86318-386-7
Description
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.
]. The seed can also be sown in spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Root cuttings in winter[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
The plant is capable of vegetative reproduction, having numerous underground buds on its root[
74
Title
Flora of the USSR.
Publication
 
Author
Komarov. V. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Israel Program for Scientific Translation
Year
1968
ISBN
-
Description
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-10-11. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Mandragora+turcomanica>

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