Mandrake

The Mandrake is a magical plant with powerful restorative properties. The root system takes the form of a small baby which matures into the form of small humanoid adult. The screams of the roots are dangerous; those of a full-grown adult mandrake can kill.

• It forms an essential part of most antidotes, including one for Petrification (CS6).
• The Mandrake Restorative Draught returns people who have been Transfigured or cursed to their original state.
• Mandrake seedlings are tufty little plants, purplish green in colour (CS6) with what look like tiny babies growing where the roots would be. These creatures grow and develop over the course of several months until they mature and can be harvested and used for potions (CS13).
• The cry of the Mandrake is fatal to humans, so special care must be taken when growing them. Even as a baby, the Mandrake's howls can knock a person out for a couple of hours.
• There is no doubt that Professor Snape alone makes the Mandrake Restorative Draught, because he gets angry when silly Lockhart offers to do it (CS9).
• The Dugbog is particularly fond of eating Mandrakes (FB).
• Venusia Crickerly who was Headmaster of Hogwarts from 1903-1912 was killed in a mandrake-related gardening accident, probably struck dead by the cry (Pm-Ministers for Magic)
• Used by Neville and Professor Sprout during the Battle of Hogwarts as they tossed pots of screaming mandrakes over the walls onto the Death Eaters (DH31)

Potions Connection

Ingredient in the Mandrake Restorative Draught.