Podophyllum peltatum - Mayapple/Mandrake
This plant grows from 12 to 20 inches tall. Flowering plants have a forked stem with one leaf on each branch. Nonflowering plants have one leaf on an unforked stem. The leaves are palmately divided into 5 to 9 lobes. The flower and fruit are at the petiole junction. The flower has 6-9 white petals. The berry is yellow when ripe.
The seeds, leaves, roots, and green fruit are poisonous. The Mayapple was used by Native Americans and settlers for several medicinal purposes. It is now a source of medicinal compounds. The fruit pulp is edible raw if ripe, and has been used to make preserves.
This plant flowers April through May. It is common, and is found in moist woods and meadows.
The seeds, leaves, roots, and green fruit are poisonous. The Mayapple was used by Native Americans and settlers for several medicinal purposes. It is now a source of medicinal compounds. The fruit pulp is edible raw if ripe, and has been used to make preserves.
This plant flowers April through May. It is common, and is found in moist woods and meadows.