What Are The Dudaim?

‘DUDA’IM.’ These are ‘sigli’ (violets). In Arabic it is called jasmin. So I found in Rashi’s commentary. But this is not so for the Arabic jasmin bears the same name in the words of our Rabbis, as they say in the chapter Bameh Tomnin: “Poppy pomace flavored with jasmin may be used [as a lotion on the Sabbath],” while they say sigli is an odorous herb concerning which they have said that on smelling it, one recites the blessing: “Blessed art Thou… who createst odorous plants.” However, their season is not in the days of the wheat, but perhaps Reuben found them there by chance. It is best to accept Onkelos’ opinion concerning the translation of duda’im, which he rendered as yavruchin (mandrakes). In Bereshith Rabbah it is also explained similarly: “Rabbi Chiya the son of Rabbi Abba said, ‘Yavruchin,’” and these are yavruach in Arabic.
Now Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra wrote: “Onkelos translated duda’im as ‘mandrakes,’ and so they are called in Arabic. They have a good odor. And it is so written: The mandrakes give forth fragrance....

The correct interpretation is that Rachel wanted the duda’im for delight and pleasure, for Rachel was visited with children through prayer, not by medicinal methods. And Reuben brought the branches of duda’im or the fruit, which resemble apples and have a good odor. The stem, however, which is shaped in the form of the human head and hands, he did not bring, and it is the stem which people say is an aid to pregnancy. And if the matter be true, it is by some peculiar effect, not by its natural quality. But I have not seen it thus in any of the medicinal books discussing mandrakes.

The Alexandrian translation is madragori and Onkelos translated it as yevruchin, and in Arabic it is also madragori. And in ancient times, they would use them to make potions/magic to bring about love in the hearts of others. And all of this is very wrong in my eyes because Rachel didn’t need magic to bring about love in her husband, who already loved her above all women, until even Leah said “was it not enough that you took my husband?” It also doesn’t say anything about Rachel giving Yaakov to drink from the juice of these dudaim. And the Ibn Ezra says that some claim to help with pregnancy, but this is the opposite because they are cold. And Ramban says that the root of the dudaim helps pregnancy, but Reuven didn’t bring the root, only the flowers. And he said that Leah wanted to use them for the smell like it says in Shir HaShirim, “the Dudaim give off fragrance.” And I am inclined in this position. And we don’t know what flower the dudaim are. And Kalrikus says that if we came to know which flower the dudaim are, they would be amomo, which have a good smell and whose fruit looks like grapes and also baskets are called dudaim. (Jeremiah 24:1)

It is said that its root is found in the image of a male and female and it has qualities related to procreation/giving birth.