Also known as: May Apple, May-apple, Mandrake, "Umbrella Plant," Podophyllum peltatum. Mayapple (Popophyllaceae) Family, says Peattie (1930); Barberry (Berberidaceae) Family, says Klimas & Cunningham (1974).

Color variations: None.

Commentary: Any child who's ever walked through the woods or other undisturbed area knows the "Umbrella plant," named such for the large umbrella-like leaf atop a long stem. This was probably the first woodland wildflower I remember coming in contact with, probably about age 7 when a neighbor girl's playhouse was near a patch of them.

Mature specimens produce a flower at the junction of the two of the "umbrellas." The six-petaled white flower is always white, though it quickly dies and is replaced by a small fruit. The fruit is spherical or lemon-shaped and grows as large as the plant can handle, usually about the size of a very small lemon or large strawberry. It is green on the outside and contains soft flesh resembling an apple in color and appearance on the inside. Its soft flesh is said to taste like a number of sweet fruits, but I think it tastes sour and disagreeable. Klimas & Cunningham (1974) even report the existence of mayapple berry jellies and jams. The scent is distinct and not so disagreeable.

The plant emerges slightly after other woodland wildflowers, appearing like a missile poking though the ground. The leaf wrapped around the stem like a flag around a flagpole. If the specimen is of sufficient maturity, the two leaves poke out together. It survives past many wildflowers to produce the fruit.

Mayapple is a very common woodland plant, but it is not found everywhere. Often, it is found in circular or oblong patches which are dominated by mayapple by late in the woodland wildflower season (say, by June). Where it does occur, it sustains some abuse, though at its height (12-18"), it cannot sustain too much. I have rarely tried to transplant mayapple, though once a few plants emerged small and battered from the clayish soil in a garden of mine. Other attempts have entirely failed. I have also never tried to plant the berry, but it is theoretically possible to do.

Associates include Wild Geranium, some Trillium varieties, Hepatica, and Cut-Leaved Toothwort.

Precautions and Uses: The only part of the plant which is not poisonous is the fruit. Do not consume the leaves, stems, or roots. Klimas & Cunningham (1974) reports its use for treating syphilis and tumors.

Soil Preferences: pH: 5.0-7.5

References: Klimas & Cunningham n24, Swink & Wilhelm 580, Peattie 191, Pepoon 812. Pepoon (1927) features an excellent picture of "May apples on a sunny slope" on page 317.

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