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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) — It grows up to 12-18 inches tall, forming colonies via underground rhizomes; its distinctive, image 121
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) — commonly called May Apple or Indian Apple; with a single white flower blooming beneath in late, image 117
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 127
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) — each extending up to 8 inches across.<br><br>In early spring; commonly called May Apple or Indian, image 129
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — also known as Indian Apple or Podophyllum peltatum; their foliage offers great ground coverage, image 124
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — serves as a distinctive and enchanting addition to woodland or shade gardens; is a shade-loving, image 125
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) — and by May (hence its name), image 131
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) — hidden beneath its foliage; ground cover for half or shade, image 133
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — all other parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.<br><br>For optimal growth; plant Mayapples, image 136
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 135
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 134
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) — plant Mayapples in medium wet; ground cover with white blooms, image 137
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) — well-drained soil with partial to full shade; the plant bears a yellow-green fruit, which is, image 138
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) — so consider partnering Mayapples with other shade-loving perennials for a season-long display, image 141
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) — white flowers in the garden; though each stem is crowned by only one or two deeply lobed leaves, image 143

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