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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Podophyllum peltatum

Mayapple, May-apple, American Mandrake, Wild Mandrake, Indian Apple, Pomme de Mai, Podophylle Pelt

Scientific Name:

Podophyllum peltatum

Genus:

Podophyllum

Species Epithet:

peltatum

Common Name:

Mayapple, May-apple, American Mandrake, Wild Mandrake, Indian Apple, Pomme de Mai, Podophylle Pelt

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

1-3 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White

Light:

Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

March, April

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Rich forests, bottomlands, slopes, pastures. Common throughout NC.

Leaf Arrangement:

Opposite

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Suitable for home landscapes

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

"The ripe fruits are edible; the rest of the plant contains a variety of alkaloids, and is poisonous-medicinal. Compounds from Podophyllum are used in wart removal, and show anti-viral and anti-cancer promise" (Weakley 2015). The fruits are relished by Box Turtles.

Colony

image

Martha Baskin

Plant

image

Martha Baskin

Bloom Close Up

image

Martha Baskin

Pink Bloom

image

Martha Baskin

Fruit

image

Martha Baskin

A Primary Vector for Mayapples

Eastern Box Turtle

image

Martha Baskin

Just beginning to emerge in March

Jackson County, NC

The Scientific Name is Podophyllum peltatum. You will likely hear them called Mayapple, May-apple, American Mandrake, Wild Mandrake, Indian Apple, Pomme de Mai, Podophylle Pelt. This picture shows the Just beginning to emerge in March of Podophyllum peltatum

Bettina Darveaux

Emergence in early Spring

Garden in Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Podophyllum peltatum. You will likely hear them called Mayapple, May-apple, American Mandrake, Wild Mandrake, Indian Apple, Pomme de Mai, Podophylle Pelt. This picture shows the Emergence in early Spring of Podophyllum peltatum

Bettina Darveaux

Beneath the Canopy

Haywood County, NC

The Scientific Name is Podophyllum peltatum. You will likely hear them called Mayapple, May-apple, American Mandrake, Wild Mandrake, Indian Apple, Pomme de Mai, Podophylle Pelt. This picture shows the Beneath the Canopy of Podophyllum peltatum

Charles Kouns

A large colony on the banks of the Tuckasegee River.

Jackson County, NC

The Scientific Name is Podophyllum peltatum. You will likely hear them called Mayapple, May-apple, American Mandrake, Wild Mandrake, Indian Apple, Pomme de Mai, Podophylle Pelt. This picture shows the A large colony on the banks of the Tuckasegee River. of Podophyllum peltatum

Bettina Darveaux

The peltate leaves can be somewhat variegated, especially when newly emerged.

Seven Mile Creek Natural Area, Orange Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Podophyllum peltatum. You will likely hear them called Mayapple, May-apple, American Mandrake, Wild Mandrake, Indian Apple, Pomme de Mai, Podophylle Pelt. This picture shows the The peltate leaves can be somewhat variegated, especially when newly emerged. of Podophyllum peltatum

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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