A large, white flower of mayapple is seen under the green, umbrella-like leaves.

A large group of mayapple plants is under a small shrub. The plants have umbrella like leaves and they are dense.

Two white sheaths are on the forest floor among decaying leaves and they are opening to reveal the folded leaves of mayapple.

The white sheaths of mayapple are open and the folded leaf sticks up out of them on the forest floor.

Two mayapple leaves--still folded--have completely emerged from the sheath. They are among decomposing leaves on the woodland floor.

Several mayapple leaves are still folded while one in the front is unfolding displaying the lobes of the green leaf.

A sideview of a large mayapple flower is underneath the cover of the green leaves.

The large white flower with yellow center of a mayapple is shown close-up. The pale green stalk and decaying leaves are the background.

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)

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Mayapple leaves are large—up to 16 inches across—and lobed. The leaves are reminiscent of a beach umbrella, especially if observed from emergence to the complete unfurling of the leaves. Leaves emerge with a white sheath covering which opens and gives way to the folded green leaf.

Flowering plants have two of the large leaves and flowers form on the stalk underneath the umbrella, so they are not always visible if there is a thick patch of mayapple plants. The flowers themselves are also large—usually over 2 inches across. They have a large ovary and stigma in the center surrounded by pale yellow stamens.

Once pollinated, a fruit begins to form. It starts out green and eventually turns yellow and has a sweet smell. This fruit is the “apple” of mayapple, and it is popular with woodland mammals. They are also a favorite of box turtles! There are several seeds in each fruit that are dispersed by these woodland animals.

The vegetation then yellows and wilts down as the summer wanes, so even though it looks like a ground cover in the spring, during the summer and into fall, it is no longer standing.

Mayapple spreads vegetatively and can form large colonies. Mammals also have a role in spreading the plant around in the forest.

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)

Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution: Mayapple

height: 12-15 inches

bloom time: May-June

soil: medium, rich

sun: partial, shade

plant spacing: 15”

flower: white (fruit: green to yellow)

life cycle: perennial

family: Berberidaceae

Sizes:

quart bare root

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Mayapple leaves are large—up to 16 inches across—and lobed. The leaves are reminiscent of a beach umbrella, especially if observed from emergence to the complete unfurling of the leaves. Leaves emerge with a white sheath covering which opens and gives way to the folded green leaf.

Flowering plants have two of the large leaves and flowers form on the stalk underneath the umbrella, so they are not always visible if there is a thick patch of mayapple plants. The flowers themselves are also large—usually over 2 inches across. They have a large ovary and stigma in the center surrounded by pale yellow stamens.

Once pollinated, a fruit begins to form. It starts out green and eventually turns yellow and has a sweet smell. This fruit is the “apple” of mayapple, and it is popular with woodland mammals. They are also a favorite of box turtles! There are several seeds in each fruit that are dispersed by these woodland animals.

The vegetation then yellows and wilts down as the summer wanes, so even though it looks like a ground cover in the spring, during the summer and into fall, it is no longer standing.

Mayapple spreads vegetatively and can form large colonies. Mammals also have a role in spreading the plant around in the forest.

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)

Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution: Mayapple

height: 12-15 inches

bloom time: May-June

soil: medium, rich

sun: partial, shade

plant spacing: 15”

flower: white (fruit: green to yellow)

life cycle: perennial

family: Berberidaceae

Mayapple leaves are large—up to 16 inches across—and lobed. The leaves are reminiscent of a beach umbrella, especially if observed from emergence to the complete unfurling of the leaves. Leaves emerge with a white sheath covering which opens and gives way to the folded green leaf.

Flowering plants have two of the large leaves and flowers form on the stalk underneath the umbrella, so they are not always visible if there is a thick patch of mayapple plants. The flowers themselves are also large—usually over 2 inches across. They have a large ovary and stigma in the center surrounded by pale yellow stamens.

Once pollinated, a fruit begins to form. It starts out green and eventually turns yellow and has a sweet smell. This fruit is the “apple” of mayapple, and it is popular with woodland mammals. They are also a favorite of box turtles! There are several seeds in each fruit that are dispersed by these woodland animals.

The vegetation then yellows and wilts down as the summer wanes, so even though it looks like a ground cover in the spring, during the summer and into fall, it is no longer standing.

Mayapple spreads vegetatively and can form large colonies. Mammals also have a role in spreading the plant around in the forest.

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)

Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution: Mayapple

height: 12-15 inches

bloom time: May-June

soil: medium, rich

sun: partial, shade

plant spacing: 15”

flower: white (fruit: green to yellow)

life cycle: perennial

family: Berberidaceae

Green pointy lobed leaves are in the background with a cluster of small white flowers on a stalk near a tree

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Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)

Mayapple leaves are large—up to 16 inches across—and lobed. The leaves are reminiscent of a beach umbrella, especially if observed from emergence to the complete unfurling of the leaves. Leaves emerge with a white sheath covering which opens and gives way to the folded green leaf.

The vegetation then yellows and wilts down as the summer wanes, so even though it looks like a ground cover in the spring, during the summer and into fall, it is no longer standing.

Mayapple spreads vegetatively and can form large colonies. Mammals also have a role in spreading the plant around in the forest.

Mayapple leaves are large—up to 16 inches across—and lobed. The leaves are reminiscent of a beach umbrella, especially if observed from emergence to the complete unfurling of the leaves. Leaves emerge with a white sheath covering which opens and gives way to the folded green leaf.

The vegetation then yellows and wilts down as the summer wanes, so even though it looks like a ground cover in the spring, during the summer and into fall, it is no longer standing.

Mayapple spreads vegetatively and can form large colonies. Mammals also have a role in spreading the plant around in the forest.

Mayapple leaves are large—up to 16 inches across—and lobed. The leaves are reminiscent of a beach umbrella, especially if observed from emergence to the complete unfurling of the leaves. Leaves emerge with a white sheath covering which opens and gives way to the folded green leaf.

The vegetation then yellows and wilts down as the summer wanes, so even though it looks like a ground cover in the spring, during the summer and into fall, it is no longer standing.

Mayapple spreads vegetatively and can form large colonies. Mammals also have a role in spreading the plant around in the forest.

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