Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)

Mayapple is also known as Mandrake.

Plant Type: This is a herbaceous plant, it is a perennial which can reach 45cm in height (18inches).
Leaves: The leaf arrangement is opposite. . There can be one or two leaves. Only plants with two leaves flower. Each shiny, yellow green, umbrella like leaf is deeply lobed.

Flowers: The flowers have 6 Regular Parts and are up to 5cm wide (2 inches). They are white. Blooms first appear in mid spring and continue into late spring. Thought most plants have 6 petals some have up to nine.

Fruit: A berry which looks much like a lime. See 'Other Images' below.

Habitat: Rich woods where there is an open canopy and sometimes in seasonally mowed areas.

Range: Throughout the southeast.

Photographic Location: A designated state natural area in Middle TN.

     
Mayapples usually grow in groups and the shiny, slightly unusual leaf color makes them very distinctive and easy to spot. The flowers, on the other hand, hang below the leaves and must be looked for.

Lore: The fruit is edible when ripe but all other parts of the plant are toxic. The Native Americans may have used a powdered root preparation as an insecticide on their crops and soaked seeds in a decoction to protect them from pests.

Warning: All parts of the plant except the ripe fruit are extremly toxic. The root, which is easily powered, is a powerful eye irritant.

Medical Uses: Although too poisonous to use in home remedies this plant has many medical uses. Native Americans used the root as a strong laxative, to treat worms and for numerous other things. The root is currently used in cancer medications and may have commercial potential as a cultivated plant. There are accounts of the Indians use of the root to commit suicide with death occurring in just hours. The size of the lethal dose is unclear.

Reference: 2bnTheWild.com