Bryony - Mandrake

In Malice Stalks the Leopard, Ysabella pulls mandrake from her apron pocket to escape her lecherous captor. Also called bryony, mandrake is related to deadly nightshade, henbane and belladonna. It is common in southern Italy and Sicily. It has long been used in magic, wicca, and ritual due to its hallucinogenic properties and its ability to induce sleep. It is said to increase physical passion when mixed with red wine, but emotional love when mixed with white wine. The mandrake plant is said to scream when it is pulled, and for the safety of the harvester, s/he should dig around the plant and then let a dog tied to it by rope actually pull it. Mandrake causes vomiting, diarrhea, and with enough, asphyxiation. A dose carefully calculated could be used as a narcotic for surgery, but watch out for its power to cause insanity!