Mandragora autumnalis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Atropa acaulis var. angustifolia
• Mandragora officinarum f. hispanica
• Mandragora hybrida
• Mandragora hispanica
• Mandragora haussknechtii
• Mandragora microcarpa
• Mandragora autumnalis subsp. microcarpa
• Mandragora officinarum subsp. haussknechtii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Solanales. Finally, it is a member of the family Solanaceae and falls under the genus Mandragora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the Mediterranean region. It can be found throughout Southwestern Europe, specifically within the territories of Spain and Portugal. Its presence is also noted in the Balearic Islands and Sardegna. Additionally, the species extends into Southeastern Europe, where it grows in Greece. Collectively, these locations define the natural habitat of Mandragora autumnalis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Mandragora autumnalis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its natural Mediterranean habitats over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial herb, it typically spends much of its existence underground, anchored by a thick, fleshy, and often tuberous taproot that serves as a vital storage organ for nutrients and moisture. The plant's development follows a seasonal pattern dictated by the climatic conditions of its environment, often emerging to produce its distinctive large, bell-shaped flowers and broad leaves during favorable periods. Throughout its lifespan, the plant undergoes cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases, where it produces seeds that facilitate the colonization of new areas. Because its life cycle is perennial, it possesses the capacity to recover from seasonal stresses, ensuring long-term survival through its robust root system which remains dormant or active depending on the availability of moisture and temperature.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Mandragora autumnalis is characterized by its status as a terrestrial plant, typically thriving in well-drained soils rather than aquatic or semiaquatic environments. As a perennial herb, it exhibits a non-woody structure, lacking the rigid lignified tissues found in shrubs or trees. The plant operates as an independent organism, functioning without a parasitic relationship to other flora. Its physical form is defined by this herbaceous habit, featuring fleshy tissues and a robust root system that supports its growth throughout its life cycle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Mandragora autumnalis is characterized by a metabolic framework defined by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, wherein carbon dioxide is fixed directly via the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle without the specialized intermediate steps found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic strategy necessitates a reliance on efficient stomatal regulation to balance gas exchange with transpiration, a critical factor for survival in its typical Mediterranean habitats. The plant's physiological processes are closely tied to its seasonal growth patterns, utilizing stored energy within its robust taproot to drive development during the cooler, wetter periods of the year. This energy management facilitates the synthesis of complex secondary metabolites, such as tropane alkaloids, which are integrated into its physiological defense mechanisms. The C3 pathway dictates its water-use efficiency and dictates that optimal carbon assimilation occurs under moderate light and temperature conditions, influencing its overall growth rate and reproductive timing.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Mandragora autumnalis is characterized by the production of a berry-type fruit, which exhibits an indehiscent nature, meaning it does not split open at maturity to release its contents. These fruits typically measure an average of 2.2 cm in length and 1.62 cm in width. The dispersal of the seeds is categorized as zoochorous, suggesting that animals play a key role in spreading the plant's progeny. The seeds contained within the fruit vary in size, with a recorded minimum mass of 0.00333 g and a maximum mass of 0.02923 g, resulting in an overall mean seed mass of approximately 0.00953875 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit length mean:

2.2 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width mean:

1.62 cm

Seed mass max:

0.02923 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00953875 g

Seed mass min:

0.00333 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Mandragora autumnalis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Chemicals

Mandragora autumnalis has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-Taxifolin, 1,3-BUTANEDIOL, ETHYL HEXANOATE, Gibberellic acid (GA3), HEXADECANOL.

(+)-Taxifolin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

1,3-BUTANEDIOL

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

ETHYL HEXANOATE

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Gibberellic acid (GA3)

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

HEXADECANOL

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

PENTADECANOIC ACID

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

kaempferol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

luteolin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

myricetin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Mandragora autumnalis has 4 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anticancer.

Antidiabetic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticancer

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Mandragora autumnalis has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, arthritis, breast cancer, cancer, cardiovascular diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations