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May Apple, Indian Apple

Podophyllum Peltatum

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Overview

Podophyllum peltatum, commonly called May Apple or Indian Apple, is a shade-loving perennial native to Eastern North America. Its distinctive umbrella-like leaves reach up to 18 inches wide, with a single white flower blooming beneath in late spring. It grows up to 12-18 inches tall, forming colonies via underground rhizomes. The plant bears a yellow-green fruit, which is edible when ripe, though all other parts are toxic. Ideal for woodland gardens.

Sun Half, ShadeWater MediumZones 3–7Type Ground coverClimate Temperate
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — and by May (hence its name), image 102

Culture

Sun
Half, Shade
Water
Medium
USDA zones
3–7

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Ground cover
Family
Berberidaceae
Climate
Temperate

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Photos (163)

May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — The flower gives way to a yellow-green fruit, the "apple," which reaches about 2 inches long by, image 76
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — Their foliage offers great ground coverage until midsummer when the plant goes dormant; all other, image 140
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — Ideal for woodland gardens; hidden beneath its foliage, image 94
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — making it a surprisingly carefree option for the shaded regions of a landscape; it grows up to, image 142
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — though each stem is crowned by only one or two deeply lobed leaves; they form extensive colonies, image 128
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — plant Mayapples in medium wet; ground cover with white blooms, image 108
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — white flower approximately 2 inches in diameter; well-drained soil with partial to full shade, image 132
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — They form extensive colonies by rhizomes, thus providing an exotic, carpet-like effect; each, image 139
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — Their foliage offers great ground coverage until midsummer when the plant goes dormant
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — The plant bears a yellow-green fruit, which is edible when ripe, though all other parts are toxic, image 64
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — Their foliage offers great ground coverage until midsummer when the plant goes dormant; all other, image 82
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — With its unique umbrella-like leaves; serves as a distinctive and enchanting addition to woodland, image 126
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — well-drained soil with partial to full shade; the plant bears a yellow-green fruit, which is, image 80
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — Its distinctive umbrella-like leaves reach up to 18 inches wide; the flower gives way to a yellow-green fruit
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — Although the fruit is edible when fully ripe and may be used to make jellies; the Mayapple emerges, image 77
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — white flower approximately 2 inches in diameter
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — with a single white flower blooming beneath in late spring; so consider partnering Mayapples with, image 120
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — serves as a distinctive and enchanting addition to woodland or shade gardens; is a shade-loving perennial
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — They form extensive colonies by rhizomes, thus providing an exotic, carpet-like effect
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — plant Mayapples in medium wet
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — Ideal for woodland gardens
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — serves as a distinctive and enchanting addition to woodland or shade gardens
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — white flowers in the garden; though each stem is crowned by only one or two deeply lobed leaves, image 143
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — Ideal for woodland gardens; hidden beneath its foliage, image 65
Photographs by 16 contributors

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