Eric Hunt / CC BY-SA 4.0
garden
Mayapple
Podophyllum
EdibleMedicinalToxic — Use Caution
Overview
A fascinating native woodland plant that forms colonial umbrella-like canopies across the forest floor in spring. Only forked stems produce the single waxy white flower hidden beneath the leaves, which develops into a small, lemon-flavored fruit edible only when fully ripe and yellow. The rest of the plant is toxic, but it is the source of etoposide, a critical chemotherapy drug.
Growing Conditions
LightShade
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones7 — 11
Height0.3m
Spread0.3m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Pollinator Valuemoderate
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH5 — 6.5
Soil TypeRich, moist, humusy woodland soil
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Transplant | Apr — May | Plant rhizomes in spring; native woodland ephemeral; forms large colonies |
| Cold (1-2) | Bloom | May — May | Single white flower under leaves; fruit edible ONLY when fully ripe and yellow; plant is otherwise toxic |
| Cool (3-4) | Transplant | Mar — Apr | Plant rhizomes 2" deep in moist shade; umbrella-like leaves |
| Cool (3-4) | Bloom | Apr — May | Spring bloom; small lemon-shaped fruit ripens in summer; all parts toxic except ripe fruit |
| Moderate (5-7) | Transplant | Mar — Apr | Plant in spring; single white flower hidden beneath paired leaves |
| Moderate (5-7) | Bloom | Apr — May | Spring bloom; woodland groundcover; goes dormant by July |
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Feb — Mar | Plant in late winter; deciduous — dormant by midsummer |
| Warm (8-9) | Bloom | Mar — Apr | Early spring; dormant by early summer |
Uses
Culinary
- Fully ripe (yellow) fruit only — eaten fresh or made into jam
Medicinal
- Source of podophyllotoxin, precursor to the chemotherapy drug etoposide
- Traditional Native American medicine for warts and skin growths (topical, professional use only)
Other Uses
- Dramatic native woodland ground cover
- Important species for pharmaceutical research
Safety Notes
We have seen no reports of toxicity for this species but all parts of the plant, except the fully ripe fruit, are almost certainly poisonous[K].
