Fuss is a common Fig Tree Mandrake.

This little tree has held a special place in the heart of Fate Greenhouses since our opening in the spring of 2019. While wild crafting marshmallow plant in the Northern part of Michigan, we stumbled upon what is perhaps the most unique mandragora I have ever encountered. Fuss is unusual in that he is a social mandrake! The friendliest tree I have ever seen! We have never heard Fuss scream or even let out a whimper. Our plant pathologists have questioned if Fuss is mute. However, thorough investigation proved otherwise. He’s simply a nice guy.

When other mandragora run and hide, Fuss hurriedly walks right along beside us. And after a weekend of him being our shadow, Fate Greenhouses decided to give him a permanent home in our hoop houses! Fuss proved to be an incredible help! Fuss’s friendly demeanor came in handy when we needed to transport a particularly aggressive sprout or offer medical care to a mandrake threatening to scream. Fuss aids our sprouts when we are unable to and is the perfect buffer to calm a screaming mandrake. Everyone needs an advocate and Fuss is perfect for the job!