Mayapple

The Mayapple is a whimsical woodland resident, instantly recognizable by its umbrella-shaped leaves that shade the forest floor. These plants often grow in colonies, spreading through rhizomes just beneath the soil. In fact, entire patches of Mayapple might be a single plant connected underground.

Sterile plants produce only one leaf, while fertile plants sport two leaves with a single large, white flower nestled in between. The flower blooms in May, but the green, oblong fruit doesn’t fully ripen until mid to late summer. When ripe, the fruit turns pale yellow and is considered edible. However, unripe fruits—and the rest of the plant—are toxic, so it’s important to wait for that perfect ripeness. Some foragers even pick slightly unripe fruits and leave them out to ripen before wildlife like raccoons, skunks, opossums, or box turtles get to them first. It’s always nice to leave enough for everyone to enjoy!

Appreciated by wildlife and foragers alike, Mayapples form colonies that can persist for decades or even centuries, quietly spreading through rhizomes beneath the forest floor. Their lineage, however, stretches far deeper into history, diverging from their Himalayan relatives around 6 to 7 million years ago. Despite their ancient origins, Mayapples remain relevant to modern ecosystems, providing food for wildlife and foragers who seek out their perfectly ripened fruits.

Note: The roots of the Mayapple were historically used as a purgative and for other remedies but are highly toxic and should not be consumed. Compounds from the roots, such as podophyllotoxin, are still used in modern pharmaceuticals under strict medical supervision. Extreme caution is essential when handling or working with this plant.