556 MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



MANDRAKE, OR MAY-APPLE. 



Lime Plant. Podophyllum peltatum. 



A hardy, herbaceous, perennial plant, growing in rich, 

 moist localities, and more or less abundant in most of the 

 Northern States. The root is creeping, nearly half an inch 

 in diameter, brown without and yellow within. The stem 

 is twelve or fifteen inches high, round and smooth, and ter- 

 minates in two large, peltate, palmate leaves. In the fork 

 of the stem is put forth a large, solitary, nodding, white 

 flower, many of which, under cultivation, are found abortive. 

 The fruit is of an oval form, an inch and a half or two 

 inches in diameter, yellow, with brownish spots, at ma- 

 turity, slightly acid, with somewhat of the flavor of the 

 strawberry, pleasant to some palates, but disagreeable to 

 others. The plants blossom in May, and the fruit ripens 

 in June. 



Soil, Propagation, and Culture. The Mandrake requires 

 a rich, moist soil, and thrives best when not too much ex- 

 posed to the action of the sun. It propagates readily, and is 

 of easy culture, but is seldom raised from seeds. It is usu- 

 ally increased by dividing the creeping, branching roots, 

 which may be done either in spring or autumn, taking care 

 to leave a bud or two on each division, and covering them 

 about two inches deep. They quickly become established, 

 rapidly multiply, and soon entirely cover the ground. They 

 need no protection during winter, require little cultivation, 

 and often extend into swarded ground, making their appear- 

 ance year after year, healthy and vigorous. 



Use. Though the root and foliage are described by 

 modern botanists as being poisonous, it is considered one of 

 the most important of all medicinal plants. As an alterative, 

 cathartic, vermifuge, and especially for diseases of the liver, 

 it is said to be one of the most efficient of remedial agents. 



