Pixie-Parasol Podophyllum cymosum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Diphylleia cymosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- po-do-FIL-um sy-MOH-sum
- Description
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Umbrella Leaf is a NC native wildflower found in mountain seepages and brook-banks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The unusual large leaves are topped with a rounded flower head of white blooms from May to June which is followed by blue fruits on red stems. The wildflower requires shade to part shade, moist soils and will do well along stream banks, the edge of ponds and a moist woodland setting. It slowly spreads by rhizomes and can be started with seeds or root cuttings.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Podophyllum
- Species:
- cymosum
- Family:
- Berberidaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Cherokee Indians used it to treat a variety of ailments and as a disinfectant.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Blue Ridge Mountains of the southern Appalachians
- Distribution:
- AL , GA , NC , SC , TN , VA
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds will eat the fruits
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- In the summer the stems will turn red and will hold small blue fruits into fall.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small white flowers with six sepals and six oval-shaped petals bloom in a rounded flower head.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Flowering plants usually have two peltate leaves (stem attached to the center of the leaf) that are 10-12 inches across or more. They are dark green, deeply veined, scalloped and divided into 2 parts with each part having 5-9 pointed lobes. Non-flowering plants have only one leaf. Leaves are held above the ground like an umbrella.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
