Island explorer discovers magical root (8)

I believe the answer is:

mandrake

(Other definitions for mandrake that I've seen before include "A plant; mean, dark (anag.)" , "Poisonous plant with large forked root" , "Root used in medicine" , "Poisonous plant or cartoon magician" , "Eurasian plant with purplish flowers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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