May Apple Podophyllum peltatum

The Mayapple is a native, herbaceous perennial wildflower that forms dense mats and is usually one of the first plants to emerge in the spring. It only has one to two leaves and one single flower per plant. The leaves are umbrella-like with deeply divided lobes that appear on an erect, elongated unbranched greenish stem.  From April to May, the showy, nodding, apple-blossom-like, white solitary flower appears in the axil of the leaves. The fruit is about the size of a small lemon, fleshy, and ripens to a golden yellow during the summer. The plant is dormant in the summer months, and the foliage disappears.  

The Mayapple is a native woodland plant that is found in most of eastern North America and as far south as the State of Texas.  It is typically found in colonies in open woodlands, shady fields, and along roadsides and riverbanks.

The genus name, Podophyllum, originates from the Greek words pous or podos which means foot, and phyllon which means leaf, and references the shape of the leaves in this species. The specific epithet, peltatum, refers to the peltate leaves or shield-shaped. The common name, Mayapple, references its May blooming time and its apple-like blossom flower. This plant is a member of the Berberidaceae or Barberry family.

The Mayapple prefers partial to full shade and grows best in moist, humus-rich, acidic, sandy to loamy soils. It is drought-tolerant in forests only and is deer and rabbit tolerant. The flowers attract pollinators such as bumblebees and other long-tongued bees. The Mayapple colonizes by rhizomes. It may be propagated by division or seeds. The plant is best divided in the fall. The seedlings may take several years to mature. 

Each plant has a solitary nodding, white flower, and hangs in an axil between the plant's two leaves. The sepals are shed as the flower opens, revealing 6 to 9 waxy petals and 12 to 18 stamens with bright yellow anthers.  Interestingly, the plants having only one umbrella-like leaf will not flower.

All parts of this plant are highly poisonous except for its ripened fruit. The Mayapple contains the toxin known as podophyllotoxin, and it is harmful if ingested. Protective gloves should be worn while handling any part of this plant because of the potential for severe contact dermatitis.

This native wildflower is best used for naturalizing in a woodland or native garden. They are often difficult to grow in the home landscape and will leave an open gap in the garden as it becomes dormant in the summer months. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Spring     Foliage:  Spring      Fruits:  Summer

Quick ID Hints:

• native wildflower, herbaceous perennial, grows 1 to 1.5 feet tall, and 0.75 to 1 foot wide
• one to two-leafed plant with an erect stem
• deeply divided, palmately-lobed, umbrella-like, pale green leaves that measure up to 12 inches in diameter
• single, nodding, waxy, 6 to 9-petaled white flower measuring 3 inches in diameter
• flowers often hidden by the leaves
• fleshy, greenish mayapple that ripens to an edible golden fruit

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Mayapple has no serious insect or disease problems. Yellow or orange fungal rust may infect the leaves.