Italian police on Thursday withdrew
from sale in street markets near Naples lots of vegetables after
10 cases of food poisoning involving the mandragora or mandrake
plant, made famous for its mythical magical qualities by the
Harry Potter books.
The vegetables were pulled from markets at Pozzuoli and Quarto
after 10 people in three families suffered food poisoning after
eating mandrake plants.
One of them is in serious condition in a Naples hospital.
The victims suffered hallucinations and intestinal issues,
medical sources said.
Mandrake has been used for hallucinogenic and aphrodisiac
qualities, among many other effects.
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