I had to do a search on mandrake to make sure I had the right thing- which led me to its medieval roots (ha!), and other magical mythologies surrounding this murderous plant.
Basically the story goes that if you pull out a mandrake root, its horrific scream with instantly kill your and/or drive you insane.
Apparently it really is a poisonous hallucinogen.
Despite what every Harry Potter nerd might tell you, here's how to safely pull out a mandrake root:
"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 endeavors 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." (V.A. Peduto, translating Greek physician Dioscorides, via New World Encycolopedia)
I wonder how many poor pooches perished for this rooty bastard.
I'll be doing more digging (ha?), but I quite like the idea of incorporating mandrake superstitions into my design concept this year.
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