Talk:Mandrake

Encyclopedia of Shamanism

Re: , @Peter coxhead, where are you seeing the source as unreliable? The publisher—Rosen Publishing—is established and we imply that such educational presses have editorial process. The entry is on the genus (convert the page in the URL to "PA283"). What other "mandrake root" would it be referencing? czar 20:36, 13 April 2017 (UTC)

An encyclopedia of shamanism is hardly a reliable source of biochemical information. Nowhere in the referenced part of the book is it made clear what exactly is meant by "mandrake". Is the genus Mandragora meant? Or the species Mandragora officinalis? The text "There are six species of Mandragora of Solanaceae" doesn't inspire confidence in the accuracy of use of botanical nomenclature. Peter coxhead (talk) 20:49, 13 April 2017 (UTC)

There's no such species as Mandragora officinalis, you prannet. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 31.54.39.145 (talk) 19:39, 29 January 2019 (UTC)

Unclear caption

Is the caption of The so-called "female" and "male" mandrakes, from a 1583 illustration meant to be factual (that these two types of berries are correctly identified and would still be called this today) or dismissive of an outdated 16th century viewpoint? --Lord Belbury (talk) 11:22, 11 August 2020 (UTC)

The latter. I thought the "so-called" made it clear, but maybe not. Can you suggest a different wording? Peter coxhead (talk) 12:21, 11 August 2020 (UTC)

Something like A 1583 illustration of a mandrake, incorrectly identifying [whatever we would call them today] as "male" and "female" berries? And if it's no longer considered an accurate representation, moving the image out of the lead section and into "folklore". --Lord Belbury (talk) 16:17, 11 August 2020 (UTC)

I'm not sure we'd call them anything today. Isn't the whole article really about folklore? The scientific stuff is at Mandragora and the species articles. Peter coxhead (talk) 18:12, 11 August 2020 (UTC)

The first and lengthy paragraph is purely botanical, so it's easy to read the caption in the same voice. --Lord Belbury (talk) 09:40, 12 August 2020 (UTC)

Magic

“For 30 days, water it with cow's milk in which three bats have been drowned.” - As if milk stayed liquid for so long! 129.143.130.37 (talk) 13:21, 2 November 2022 (UTC)

It doesn't say you need to use the same milk for 30 days, so I'm not sure what you're talking about? 24.51.192.49 (talk) 05:17, 12 February 2023 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion:

• Mandrake root, England, 1501-1700 Wellcome L0058458.jpg

Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. —Community Tech bot (talk) 20:51, 24 November 2025 (UTC)