Mandrake

A Mediterranean plant having both healing and poisonous properties. Because of the limb-like roots, the mandrake was believed to be a humanoid plant which, when uprooted emited a blood-curdling scream which killed any living creature hearing it. For that reason, dogs were made to uproot it to prevent human fatalities. Rare in family arms, it appears in the crest of the Association of Anaesthetists and always takes the form, as illustrated.