// SPECIES PROFILE · PERENNIAL · NATIVE
Mayapple
Podophyllum peltatum
Mayapple unfurls colonies of distinctive umbrella-leaves across spring forest floors, hides a single waxy white flower beneath them, and ripens a single edible (when fully ripe) lemon-yellow fruit by July. Spreads by rhizome into deep groundcover. Caution: all parts EXCEPT the ripe yellow fruit are toxic.
// QUICK FACTS
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Group
- perennial
- Native range
- E. North America incl. eastern OK woodlands
- USDA hardiness
- Zones 3–8
- Mature size
- 12–18 in
- Sun
- Part to full shade
- Water
- Moist · woodland
- Wildlife value
- Box turtle disperses seed; bumblebees pollinate
- Ecological role
- umbrella forest floor · rare edible fruit · carpet groundcover
