Skip to content
Log inStart trial

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 3–7Type 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

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (163)

May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — It grows up to 12-18 inches tall, forming colonies via underground rhizomes
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — with a single white flower blooming beneath in late spring; so consider partnering Mayapples with, image 62
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — making it a surprisingly carefree option for the shaded regions of a landscape
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — well-drained soil with partial to full shade; the plant bears a yellow-green fruit, which is, image 109
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — though each stem is crowned by only one or two deeply lobed leaves
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — Their foliage offers great ground coverage until midsummer when the plant goes dormant; all other parts of the
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) — The plant bears a yellow-green fruit, which is edible when ripe, though all other parts are toxic
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — is a shade-loving perennial native to Eastern North America; the Mayapple typically grows to a, image 118
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — also known as Indian Apple or Podophyllum peltatum; their foliage offers great ground coverage, image 66
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — the Mayapple emerges as a fleshy stalk; also known as Indian Apple or Podophyllum peltatum, image 130
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — white flower approximately 2 inches in diameter; well-drained soil with partial to full shade
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — with a single white flower blooming beneath in late spring
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — plant Mayapples in medium wet; ground cover with white blooms, image 137
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 122
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) — each extending up to 8 inches across.<br><br>In early spring; commonly called May Apple or Indian Apple
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) — ground cover for half or shade; making it a surprisingly carefree option for the shaded regions of a landscape
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — white flowers in the garden; though each stem is crowned by only one or two deeply lobed leaves
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — the Mayapple emerges as a fleshy stalk
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — and by May (hence its name), image 131
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) — With its unique umbrella-like leaves; serves as a distinctive and enchanting addition to woodland or shade
Photographs by 16 contributors

Related plants

Algerita Barberry (Berberis Trifoliolata) — This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soils

Shrub

Algerita Barberry

Berberis Trifoliolata

FullUSDA 7–10
Amber Queen Barrenwort (Epimedium 'Amber Queen') — Hardy in zones 5-9, it thrives in partial to full shade and well-drained soil

Ground cover

Amber Queen Barrenwort

Epimedium 'Amber Queen'

Deep ShadeUSDA 4–8
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — <br><br>The flowers of Barrenwort appear from mid to late spring; it typically reaches a height of 12 to 15 inches with a

Ground cover

Barrenwort

Epimedium Alpinum

HalfUSDA 4–7
Beale's Barberry (Mahonia Japonica 'Bealei') — Its resilience to pests and diseases; its intricate compound leaves

Broadleaf Evergreen

Beale's Barberry

Mahonia Japonica 'Bealei'

HalfUSDA 7–9
Bicolor Barrenwort (Epimedium X Versicolor 'Sulphureum') — It features heart-shaped leaves and dainty, yellow and lavender-tinted flowers in spring

Ground cover

Bicolor Barrenwort

Epimedium X Versicolor 'Sulphureum'

HalfUSDA 5–8
Bishop's Hat (Epimedium 'Niveum') — which appear in abundance from mid to late spring

Ground cover

Bishop's Hat

Epimedium 'Niveum'

HalfUSDA 4–8