Plants and People Project

Mayapple - Podophyllum peltatum

Common names are: mayapple, devil's apple, duck's foot, ground lemon, hog apple, Indian apple, mandrake, racoonberry, umbrella plant, vegetable calomel, vegetable mercury, wild jalap, wild lemon, wild mandrake, yellowberry. ScienceViews.com

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. Wildflowers of Southeastern US

This plant is highly poisonous!

Plants with two leaves will have one blossom at the fork where the leaves join the stem, but plants with one leaf are immature and will not bloom. Mayapple

"Mayapples grow in colonies from underground rhizones." Ryerson Woods Spring Wildflowers

DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past. Be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.

Identification and other facts / PLANTS database

Mayapple

Mayapple in bloom