Mayapple
Podophyllum peltatum
A woodland wildflower forming colonies of umbrella-like leaves, with a single white flower hidden beneath that ripens into a yellow fruit.
- Light
- Partial to full shade
- Water
- Moderate; moist soil in spring
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Got a plant like this?
Identify any plant from a photo, free.
Overview
Mayapple is a distinctive spring wildflower of eastern North American woodlands, instantly recognized by its large, umbrella-like leaves that carpet the forest floor in spreading colonies. A single nodding white flower hides beneath the paired leaves of mature plants.
It spreads vegetatively by rhizomes, so a large patch is often a single clonal plant that emerges each spring and dies back by midsummer.
How to identify it
- Leaves: Large, deeply lobed, umbrella-shaped, up to 1 foot across; single-leaf plants do not flower
- Flowers: Solitary, white, waxy, 1-2 inches across, nodding in the fork between two leaves
- Fruit: Single egg-shaped berry, green ripening to yellow
- Habit: Colony-forming via rhizomes; 12-18 inches tall
- Bloom time: Spring
Care & growing
Mayapple thrives in shady, woodland conditions and naturalizes well.
- Light: Partial to full shade; mimics a forest floor
- Water: Moist soil during spring growth; tolerates summer dryness as it goes dormant
- Soil: Rich, humusy, well-drained woodland soil
- Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 3-8
- Feeding: Leaf-litter mulch; no fertilizer needed
- Propagation: By rhizome division in fall, or slowly from seed; it dies back by midsummer
Habitat & origin
Podophyllum peltatum is native to eastern North America, from Quebec and Ontario south to Florida and Texas.
It grows in moist deciduous woodlands, shady clearings, riverbanks, and damp meadows, often forming extensive colonies in rich forest soils. It is a classic spring component of eastern woodland flora.
Frequently asked questions
Why don't all my mayapples flower?
Only plants that produce two leaves flower; single-leaf plants are immature or non-reproductive that year. The flower hides in the fork between the two leaf stalks.
How does mayapple spread?
It spreads vegetatively by underground rhizomes, forming large colonies that are often a single clonal plant; it can also grow slowly from seed.
Why is it called American mandrake?
Early settlers likened its root to the European mandrake, though the two plants are unrelated.
Mayapple guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Mayapple.
