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May Apple, Indian Apple

Podophyllum Peltatum

Design with this plant

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 3–7Climate Temperate
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — commonly called May Apple or Indian Apple

Culture

Sun
Half, Shade
Water
Medium
USDA zones
3–7

Shape & size

Classification

Family
Berberidaceae
Climate
Temperate

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Photos (143)

May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — and by May (hence its name), image 73
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — white flower approximately 2 inches in diameter; well-drained soil with partial to full shade, image 74
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — is a shade-loving perennial native to Eastern North America; the Mayapple typically grows to a, image 89
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — Its distinctive umbrella-like leaves reach up to 18 inches wide; the flower gives way to a, image 90
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) — all other parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.<br><br>For optimal growth; plant Mayapples, image 78
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) — hidden beneath its foliage; ground cover for half or shade, image 75
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — plant Mayapples in medium wet; ground cover with white blooms, image 79
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 a single white flower blooming beneath in late spring; so consider partnering Mayapples with, image 91
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — It grows up to 12-18 inches tall, forming colonies via underground rhizomes; its distinctive, image 92
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — so consider partnering Mayapples with other shade-loving perennials for a season-long display, image 83
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — making it a surprisingly carefree option for the shaded regions of a landscape; it grows up to, image 84
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 85
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 93
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — ground cover with white blooms; although the fruit is edible when fully ripe and may be used to, image 86
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — They form extensive colonies by rhizomes, thus providing an exotic, carpet-like effect; each, image 81
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — ground cover for half or shade; making it a surprisingly carefree option for the shaded regions of, image 87
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) — commonly called May Apple or Indian Apple; with a single white flower blooming beneath in late, image 88
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — the Mayapple emerges as a fleshy stalk; also known as Indian Apple or Podophyllum peltatum, image 101
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — though each stem is crowned by only one or two deeply lobed leaves; they form extensive colonies, image 99
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — the Mayapple typically grows to a height of 12 to 18 inches with a similar spread; white flower, image 98

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