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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) — though each stem is crowned by only one or two deeply lobed leaves; they form extensive colonies by rhizomes
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — Although the fruit is edible when fully ripe and may be used to make jellies; the Mayapple emerges as a fleshy
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — serves as a distinctive and enchanting addition to woodland or shade gardens; is a shade-loving, image 67
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — It grows up to 12-18 inches tall, forming colonies via underground rhizomes; its distinctive umbrella-like
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — though each stem is crowned by only one or two deeply lobed leaves; they form extensive colonies, image 70
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) — serves as a distinctive and enchanting addition to woodland or shade gardens; is a shade-loving, image 96
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — Ideal for woodland gardens; hidden beneath its foliage, image 123
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — Its distinctive umbrella-like leaves reach up to 18 inches wide
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — With its unique umbrella-like leaves; serves as a distinctive and enchanting addition to woodland, image 68
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — hidden beneath its foliage; ground cover for half or shade, image 104
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) — ground cover for half or shade; making it a surprisingly carefree option for the shaded regions of, image 116
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — the Mayapple typically grows to a height of 12 to 18 inches with a similar spread; white flower approximately
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — plant Mayapples in medium wet; ground cover with white blooms
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 115
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) — With its unique umbrella-like leaves
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — well-drained soil with partial to full shade; the plant bears a yellow-green fruit, which is edible when ripe
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — is a shade-loving perennial native to Eastern North America; the Mayapple typically grows to a, image 60
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — making it a surprisingly carefree option for the shaded regions of a landscape; it grows up to 12-18 inches
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 69
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — white flower approximately 2 inches in diameter; well-drained soil with partial to full shade, image 74
Podophyllum Peltatum
Photographs by 11 contributors

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