Minnesota Wildflowers


or try: advanced plant search
Share |

Podophyllum peltatum (Mayapple)

Plant Info
Also known as: Wild Mandrake, Ground Lemon
Genus:Podophyllum
Family:Berberidaceae (Barberry)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade; rich woods
Bloom season:May - June
Plant height:1 to 2 feet
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map

Pick an image for a larger view. Most image enlargements are 50-100KB, though some may be larger. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Detailed Information

Flower: 6-petals 7+petals

[photo of flower] A single nodding flower 1 to 2 inches across on a stalk arising where the stem forks at the top of the plant. Flowers have 6 to 9 round white petals and twice as many yellow stamens surrounding a pale greenish yellow columnar ovary in the center.

Leaves and stem: opposite lobed

[photo of leaves] Leaves are umbrella-like, up to 16 inches in diameter, palmately lobed in 5 to 9 parts; lobes may be further divided or deeply notched at the tip and lobe edges may be toothed to varying degrees. Flowering plants have a pair of leaves forking at the top of the stem, each leaf on a long stalk. Sterile plants have a single leaf. Leaves and stems are hairless. The base of the main stem is sheathed.

Fruit:

An oval berry about 2 inches long that ripens to yellow, containing several seeds.

Notes:

The natural range of Mayapple is limited to the southeastern part of the state, south of Dakota County, but this species does well in garden settings farther north, and is gaining popularity. It can form large colonies, spreading by its root system (rhizomes),

Where to buy native seed and plants

Help support this site by buying seeds & plants from these vendors. Tell them we sent you!

  • Prairie Restorations - Bringing people together with the land
  • Shop for native seeds and plants at PrairieMoon.com!
  • Out Back Nursery and Landscaping - Where Ecology and Horticulture Unite
  • Shooting Star Native Seeds - Native Prairie Grass and Wildflower Seeds

Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk, taken at the U of M Arboretum, and in private gardens in St. Louis and Washington counties

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Petyer
on: 2010-04-21 21:03:45

This is a good shade alternative to hosta - also european garden slugs (biological control of hosta) don't eat it - also wild ginger, dutchmen breeches & wild lily-of-valley & a fern or two - fill in an area as well as anything.

Posted by: Ruth in Nerstrand Big Woods State Park & Lake Louise State Park
on: 2010-05-16 21:17:26

I saw this plant blooming in May at both Big Woods and Lake Louise state parks. The leaves are so big that the flowers are a pleasant surprise underneath.

Posted by: Lynnette in SE Dakota County, Ravenna Township
on: 2011-08-15 15:59:13

We have a good patch growing on our property.

Post a comment

Note: All comments are moderated before posting to keep the riff-raff out. An email address is required, but will not be posted—it will only be used for information exchange between the 2 of us (if needed) and will never be given to a 3rd party without your express permission.

For info on subjects other than plant identification (gardening, invasive species control, edible plants, etc.), please check the links and invasive species pages for additional resources.



(required)




Note: Comments or information about plants outside of Minnesota may not be posted because I’d like to keep the focus of this web site on Minnesota. Thanks for your understanding.