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Pixie-Parasol Podophyllum cymosum

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Diphylleia cymosa
Phonetic Spelling
po-do-FIL-um sy-MOH-sum
Description

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:
Tags:
#white flowers#showy fruits#stream banks#pond margins#NC native#native garden#cutting garden#spring interest#flowers early summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#wet soils tolerant#wildflower#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#showy fruits#stream banks#pond margins#NC native#native garden#cutting garden#spring interest#flowers early summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#wet soils tolerant#wildflower#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • 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
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil