Photo of Podophyllum peltatum foliage by Danger Garden

Photo by Danger Garden

Used with permission, all rights reserved

Show all photos

Podophyllum peltatum

Also Known As

  • American Mandrake
  • American Mayapple
  • Devil's Apple
  • Hog Apple
  • Indian Apple
  • Mandrake Root
  • May Apple

Plant type

perennial

size

  • H: 1'-2'
  • W: 2'-15'

planting zones

  • 3a-9b

More Options

Podophyllum peltatum plant details

Podophyllum peltatum is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In spring white flowers emerge followed by green, red and yellow fruit. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees, birds and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with bright shade - shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in acidic, average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Podophyllum peltatum

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: berberidaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 2 FT - 15 FT - wide, 1 FT - 2 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring
Uses: fragrant, summer dormant, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Podophyllum peltatum

USDA Zones: 3a - 9b
Sun exposure: bright shade - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: humidity
Soil needs: acidic, average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

?The umbrellas are out! cry the children when the great green leaves of the mayapple first unfold? (Dana); this very distinctive and tolerant wildflower with its large leaves and 2" yellow fruit can form colonies on difficult sites. S-PSh/M
Each plant is a single stem 12″-18″ tall with an umbrella of one or two palmate-lobed, pale green leaves. White blooms are often covered by the leaves, but give way to fruit that is golden when ripe. Other plant parts are toxic. Mayapple is a naturalizing woodland plant that blooms in Spring and goes dormant in Summer.
Mayapple is a species of the deciduous forests of eastern North America where it forms impressive, groundcovering colonies. The leaves erupt from the rich forest soils like folded umbrellas that open to reveal a simple white flower hanging beneath. In summer orange-red fruits are formed that taste like lemons. All other parts of the plant are poisonous.
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) is often referred to as "Umbrella Plant" because of its large, widely-spreading leaves.?Creeps slowly by rhizomes to form a miniature "forest" when planted two feet on center, and is known to do well under some pines. The umbrella-like leaves protect beautiful and fragrant white flowers that attracts a wide variety of pollinators in April and May. Grows in any well-drained soil in shade, and in full sun in rich, heavy soil. Hardy to Zones 4 - 8.
Large umbrella-like leaves have a lush opulent beauty, almost hiding the large waxy white flowers, and fruits that make a tasty jelly, get them before the chipmunks! People are starting to cross our native May Apple with some of the Asian Dysosma species with spectacular results.
Blooms: spring, white, impressive bronze new foliage Zone 4-9. 2', Eastern US, part shade-shade, moist, well drained
Solitary nodding flower borne in the crotch between a pair of large, deeply lobed leaves. Flowers 2" wide with 6-9 waxy white petals. 12-18" tall. Blooms April-June. Likes rich woods and damp, shady clearings.

By: Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery

Commonly called Mayapple or Mandrake Root. A handsome woodland native with umbrella shaped leaves that will carpet the earth in drier upland soil. White flowers are held just below the foliage in May followed by yellow fruit. It is summer dormant. The roots are used for homeopathic remedies but they are poisonous.
Mayapple. A plant of the Eastern woodlands, this thrives in a moist rich soil to the point where it needs containment unless you are looking for a broad patch. Big maple leaves pop up in spring under which the white flower hangs which later produces a large showy red fruit. New strong divisions.

Gardening facts about Podophyllum peltatum plant

How to Grow Podophyllum peltatum

  • Sun Exposure

    • bright shade - shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - regular
  • Soil Needs

    • acidic
    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • humidity tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • white
  • Wildlife

    • birds
    • bees
    • butterflies
  • Fruit

    • red
    • yellow
    • green
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
  • Texture

    • glossy
Mailing List
Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

© 2010—2024 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved