Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Mayapple
(American Mandrake)
Podophyllum peltatum [C-value 4]
Barberry family (Berberidaceae)
Blooms
mid-April - May
The native Mayapple is common in our area in deciduous woodlands. It prefers dappled sunlight to light shade and moist to slightly dry rich loamy soil with abundant organic matter. This perennial has a 1–1½' tall stalk and a pair of leaves on long petioles at the apex of the stalk. The leaves are up to 10" long and 10" across, orbicular in outline, and deeply divided in 5-6 palmate lobes. Each fertile plant produces a single nodding flower where the 2 leaf petioles branch from each other. The flower is about 1½" across with 6-9 white petals and is replaced by an ovoid fruit containing several seeds.
Mayapple at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve May 5, 2015
Mayapple flower at Lyon Forest Preserve May 9, 2015
Mayapple emerging nubbin at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve April 24, 2013
Mayapple at Farnsworth House May 13, 2017 (leaves have an umbrella appearnce)
Mayapple at Harris Forest Preserve June 1, 2013 (with fruit)
The ripened fruit is edible in moderate amounts, though when consumed in large amounts the fruit is poisonous. (Reminder: see our Do Not Disturb Notice.) All other parts of the plant are poisonous.
The Mayapple is surrounded by folklore. It was said to have been used by witches as a poison, and took on the name of Witch's Umbrella. The English version of this plant, called Manroot (mandrake,) was believed to be alive and its screams when pulled from the ground would render a man permanently insane. Mayapple went by a number of other common names including American Mandrake, Ducks Foot, Ground Lemon, Hog Apple, Indian Apple, Love Apple, Racoon Berry and Umbrella Plant.
The edible fruit was used extensively by Native Americans, eaten raw, cooked or made into jams, jellies, marmalades, and pies. Though other parts of the plant are toxic, Indian Healers obviously knew what they were doing, as they used the roots of the plants as a laxative, to treat worms, and for liver function. Externally, they used it to treat snakebite, warts, and some skin conditions. They also used it as an insecticide on their crops. Later, Mayapple was used as an ingredient in Carter’s Little Liver Pills. Because of its toxicity, this herb should only be used by professional Herbalists. The modern drug Podophyllin uses an extract from its roots.
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