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Podophyllum peltatum

Mayapple (Indian Apple, Wild Mandrake)

A woodland, rhizomatous perennial with umbrella-like foliage. They form large colonies and produce waxy, white or pale pink flowers which are hidden under the leaves. The blooms are followed by the greenish "mayapples", often eaten by wildlife.

  • »  Palmately-lobed, mid-green leaves are up to 25 cm wide
  • »  Generally only one leaf per stem, sometimes two
  • »  Flowers have six to nine, white petals with yellow stamens
  • »  Fragrant flowers are hidden below the foliage
  • »  Flowers give way to yellowish-green berries
  • »  May apple spreads by rhizomes to form dense, vegetative colonies
  • »  Bloom Time: May
  • »  Flower Size: 3.5 cm

1 Litre
$17.33
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  • Category:Perennials
  • Hardiness Zone:4
  • Height:30-45 cm
  • Spread:40-50 cm
  • Bloom Color: White
Exposure
• Full Shade
• Partial Sun/Shade
Soil Moisture
• Moist to Average
• Well-drained
Growth Rate
• Medium
Attributes
• Native to Ontario
• Berries
• Fragrant
• Juglan Tolerant
Flowering Time
• Spring
Habit
• Spreading
Foliage Color
• Green
Landscape uses
• Border/edging
• Ground cover
• Naturalizing
• Woodland/woods edge
Planting instructions
• Container Plants
Additional Information about Podophyllum peltatum

  • Native to Ontario
  • May apple refers to the apple-like blossoms forming in May 
  • Berries can be used in preserves and jellies
  • Note: the berries are only edible when fully ripe.  All other plant parts may be poisonous.

Growing & Maintenance Tips for Podophyllum peltatum

Grows best in an average to moist, well-drained, organic soil, in partial to fully shaded gardens. Often found naturalizing in open, deciduous woodlands or at  a woodland edge. Foliage goes dormant by mid to late summer.