Mandrakes
Hebrew dudaim; i.e., “love-plants”, occurs only in Gen. 30:14-16
and Cant. 7:13. Many interpretations have been given of this
word dudaim. It has been rendered “violets,” “Lilies,”
“jasmines,” “truffles or mushrooms,” “flowers,” the “citron,”
etc. The weight of authority is in favour of its being regarded
as the Mandragora officinalis of botanists, “a near relative of
the night-shades, the ‘apple of Sodom’ and the potato plant.” It
possesses stimulating and narcotic properties (Gen. 30:14-16).
The fruit of this plant resembles the potato-apple in size, and
is of a pale orange colour. It has been called the “love-apple.”
The Arabs call it “Satan’s apple.” It still grows near
Jerusalem, and in other parts of Palestine.