Mandrake | |
---|---|
[[{{{map}}}|250px]] | |
Background | |
Type | screaming plant |
First Sighting | biblical times |
Last Sighting | n/a |
Country | Britain |
Habitat | forests, plains, woods wtc |
Possible Population | n/a |
The mandrake is a plant from the Bible, whose roots resemble a human.
According to the legend, when the root is dug up, it screams and kills whoever hears it. Literature includes complex directions for harvesting a mandrake root in relative safety.
Josephus from Jerusalem gave instructions on the save removal of a mandrake- as follows:
A furrow must be dug around the root until its lower part is exposed, then a dog is tied to it, after which the person tying the dog must get away. The dog then endeavours to follow him, and so easily pulls up the root, but dies suddenly instead of his master. After this, the root can be handled without fear.
The plant is briefly in the book and the film: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.