Podophyllum

( pod - oh - FILL - um )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering perennials requires partial to full shade and regular to ample amounts of water. Relatives of Barberry, these plants grow from underground rhizomes. Foliage is deeply lobed. Flowers appear on stalks with two leaves, but not stalks with just one. The flowers nestle themselves in the crux of the two leaf stems. Mid- to late-springtime blooms are white and followed by berries that are edible when they are fully ripe. Although they are edible, they can have a powerful laxative effect. These plants are commonly used as groundcovers for moist, wooded areas. Take care when planting these in your yard; all parts of the plant, except for the ripe fruits, are poisonous if ingested to humans and pets.

Podophyllum Species and Varietals

The genus Podophyllum is a member of the plant family Berberidaceae, and includes 17 distinct species. The genus name is derived from the Greek words pous or podos (meaning foot) and phyllon (meaning leaf), referring to the shape of leaves. The best growing zones for Podophyllum vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Podophyllum delavayi (Chinese Mayapple)
These plants are native to south-central China, and are very sought-after as garden ornamentals. Foliage is very mottled when it emerges in early springtime. Red flowers are produced on stems in May, and are somewhat foul-scented. They are pollinated by flies. These plants prefer moist, woodland conditions near running water.

Podophyllum grayi (Diphylleia grayi) (Skeleton Flower)
This Japanese native plant reaches 1.3 feet tall and produces white flowers from May through July. After flowers fade, dark blue to purple fruits with a white bloom stay on the plant from June through August. Petals are transparent when wet, giving the plant its common name 'Skeleton Flower'.

Podophyllum hexandrum (Podophyllum emodi, Sinopodophyllum hexandrum) (Himalayan May Apple, Indian May Apple
This species of Podophyllum is native to the Himalayas and western China, and grows well in zones 4-7 and 14-17. It reaches 1.5-2 feet tall and dark green, mottled brown foliage. Flowers are white or pink, and followed by bright red berries.

Podophyllum peltatum (Mayapple, American Mandrake, Wild Mandrake, Ground Lemon)
These plants grow in colonies and typically form a single root. Leaves are large and palmate and flowers can be white, yellow, or red. Fleshy fruits are green, turning yellow or red when ripe, and are typically made into jelly.

Podophyllum pleianthum (Dysosma pleiantha) (Many-Flowered Chinese Mayapple, Dysosma)
These plants are native to southeast China and Taiwan, and are both shade-tolerant and deer resistant. Individual plants reach up to between 1.5 and 2 feet tall when mature. Cultivar 'The Giant' can grow up to 40 inches tall.

Podophyllum versipellis (Podophyllum versipelle, Dysosma versipellis) (Chinese Mayapple)
These endangered plants are native to damp, shady forests in south and west China, and grow from underground rhizomes. Leaves are green and umbrella-shaped, and flowers are tubular and dark red. Cultivar 'Spotty Dotty' (pictured) has dark brown leaf markings.

Caring for Podophyllum

Plant your Podophyllum plant in a space that receives partial sun to full shade. In warmer climates, make sure that these plants are protected from the harsh rays of the sun, especially during the warmest hours of the day (typically between 2 and 3 PM). Podophyllum plants enjoy organically rich soil that is well-draining and has a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Lay down a thick layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, increase soil moisture retention, and maintain consistent soil temperatures. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, these plants can handle drier soils, as long as they are in full shade. The more sun they receive, the more water they will require to continue performing well. Fertilizing is not necessary for these flowers, they can get all of the nutrients they need during the growing season from the soil, provided that it is at least moderately fertile. In poor soils, an application of compost yearly to the top of the soil surface is sufficient. Pruning is also not typically necessary; Podophyllum will die back on their own about midway through summertime, and regrow from their storage roots the following spring.

Harvesting Podophyllum Fruits (Mayapples)
The fruit produced by Podophyllum plants are called Mayapples, and are the only part of the plant that is edible. The rest of the plant is toxic to humans and pets; do not consume any plant parts except for ripe fruits (even the skin and seeds of fruits are toxic). Fruits typically emerge as green ovular berries, and ripen to golden yellow. They will sometimes have pinkish or purplish hues. When ripe, fruits are soft and slightly wrinkled. They are harvested in late summer (August or September), and have a bland, lemon-like flavor. The fruits are typically used to make jams, jellies, or marmalade along with other fruits and plenty of sugar. To safely process Mayapples, rinse them in warm water after bringing them indoors. Remove the skin and all seeds (or simply spit out seeds while eating the raw fruit). The pulp can then be used to infuse beverages, baked goods, preserves, or sauces.