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Chinese May Apple Podophyllum pleianthum

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Dysosma pleiantha
Description

Chinese mayapple is a herbaceous perennial native to China and Tawian in the Berberidaceae (barberry) family.  This plant is tolerant of heavy shade and has showy flowers and fruits.

Pant it in well drained moist rich soils in partial to full shade.  It has beautiful large glossy star shaped leaves, burgundy flowers and apricot fruits.  It is resistant to browsing by deer and damage by snails and slugs.  

Use it in the front of a shade border or woodland garden or plant it in a container that can be elevated so the deep magenta flowers can be enjoyed.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Part Sun-Part Shade Gardens
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Snowfall'
  • 'Tai Wedding'
'Snowfall', 'Tai Wedding'
Tags:
#showy flowers#showy fruits#deer resistant#glossy leaves#star shaped flowers#slug resistant#border front#shade border#heavy shade tolerant#container plant#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Snowfall'
  • 'Tai Wedding'
'Snowfall', 'Tai Wedding'
Tags:
#showy flowers#showy fruits#deer resistant#glossy leaves#star shaped flowers#slug resistant#border front#shade border#heavy shade tolerant#container plant#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Podophyllum
    Species:
    pleianthum
    Family:
    Berberidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    S. China, Taiwan
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    heavy shade
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Fruit Description:
    Green to apricot to red colored fruits that resemble tomatoes appear late summer
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Burgandy flowers with narrow curved petals appear hidden under the foliage in the spring
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Orbicular
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Simple, large light green lobed umbrella like, glossy star shaped orbicular leaves up to 12" across
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heavy Shade
    Slugs