Podophyllum peltatum L.

May Apple; American Mandrake

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

May Apple is a native herbaceous perennial in the Barberry family (Berberidaceae). It is native to all but the southern-most counties of Alabama. May Apple occurs in rich hardwood forest, in moist mixed forest, in ravines, and along streams. It is a colonial herbaceous perennial from an elongate rhizome. Erect shoots between 7-24 inches tall are produced along the rhizomes. Non-flowering shoots produce a single leaf while flowering shoots produce two nearly opposite leaves. The leaves are petiolate, orbiculate to peltate in outline, with 7-9 lobes. The margins of the lobes are entire or coarsely toothed and the upper surface of the leaf is sparsely pubescent to glabrous. The petioles of the non-flowering leaves are attached centrally, while those of the flowering stem leaves are attached near the margin. Flowers are solitary and arise between the petioles. The flowers are nodding, fragrant, and white or rarely pink in color. Each flower has 6 white or pale green sepals, 6-9 white petals, and 6-18 stamens. The fruit is a yellowish or reddish berry with 20-50 seed. The ripe fruit are edible, but immature fruit and all other parts of the plant are toxic. Etoposide, originally derived from May Apple is used in the treatment of small-cell lung cancer. May Apple is commonly cultivated in wildflower gardens, although it can spread aggressively from the rhizomes. It prefers a rich, moist soil in partial to full shade.—A. Diamond

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Native FACU (NWPL)

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