alraune
Alraune, also known as *Mandragora officinarum*, is a perennial herb belonging to the nightshade family (Solanaceae), closely related to the deadly nightshade (*Atropa belladonna*). It has a long history in European folklore, medicine, and superstition, often associated with witchcraft and magical properties.
The plant is native to the Mediterranean region but has been cultivated in temperate climates across Europe.
In medieval European tradition, alraune was believed to be born from the seed of a hanged man,
Medicinally, alraune contains alkaloids such as scopolamine and atropine, which have been used in small doses
Today, alraune is primarily of cultural and historical interest, appearing in literature, art, and folklore as