Mayapple

Podophyllum peltatum

Family Berberidaceae

Brief Description: Flowers are solitary and terminal, white (pink) in color; 1.25-2 inches wide. This is a colonial herb from a rhizome standing 1-1.5 feet tall. Petals are 6-9 in number and stamens are two times the number of petals. Fruit is a many seeded berry (yellow); 1.5-2 inches.
Blooms in May.

Geographic Range: From Quebec to Minnesota, south to Florida and Texas.

Habitat: Moist, preferably open woods

Historic Uses: The seeds and foliage are poisonous, however the fruit pulp is edible when ripe. Pulp is used as a preserve to make a drink like a liqueur. The root has pharmaceutical application as an ingredient used to make podophyllin which is a drug to treat genital warts.