Flora
of East-Central Indiana
| May Apple |
| Scientific Name | Podophyllum peltatum L. |
| Family Name | Berberidaceae (Barberry Family) |
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Characteristics |
| Habitat: | moist, preferably open woods |
| Plant Height: | 30-50 cm, erect stem from rhizomes |
| Flower Color: | white to pinkish |
| Flower: | fragrant; nodding; 6-9 petals; 6 green sepals fall off early; stamens typically twice as many as the petals; ovary superior, unilocular |
| Inflorescence: | single flower borne in axis of 2 leaves; 1 per plant |
| Fruit: | large, fleshy, lemon-colored berry; not developing until August |
| Leaves: | to 30 cm wide; usually 2 per plant; opposite; terminate stem; blade 5-9 lobed; lobes can be entire to coarsely serrate |
| Bloom Time: | April-June |
| Origins: | native |
| Other: | leaves, roots and seeds are poisonous if ingested in large quantities; some have allergic reactions after handling rhizomes; fruit edible when ripe can be used in jellies, for juice or eaten fresh; flowers are short lived |
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| general habitat | form | close up of flower | leaves |
Native Wildflowers ● Trees, Shrubs&Vines ● Ferns ● Grasses&Allies ● Non-Native Species ● ECI Flora Home
information
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comments to: hbrown@bsu.edu |
