Podophyllum

( pod - oh - FILL - um )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering perennials includes species which require partial to full shade and regular to ample amounts of water to perform well in the landscape. These flowers grow from underground rhizomes and foliage is deeply lobed. Blooms nestle themselves in the crux of the two leaf stems in mid- to late-springtime, and are followed by berries. These plants are commonly used as groundcovers for moist, wooded areas and can also serve as specimens in mixed beds and borders. Take care when planting these in your yard as most plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Podophyllum Species and Varietals

The genus Podophyllum is a member of the plant family Berberidaceae, and includes 17 distinct species. Plants in the genus are closely related to those of Epimedium (Barrenwort) and Vancouveria (Duck's Foot). 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 climate for Podophyllum are USDA hardiness zones 3-9, though this will vary depending on the species cultivated. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Podophyllum delavayi (Dysoma delavayi) (Chinese Mayapple, Delavay's Chinese Mayapple, Sichuan Bājiǎolián, Crow-Leafed Eight-Angled Lotus, Karasuba-Hakkakuren, 烏葉八角レン, カラスバハッカクレン)
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. Chinese Mayapple plants are well-suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 6-9.

Podophyllum grayi (Diphylleia grayi) (Skeleton Flower, Glass Flower, Umbrella Leaf)
This native of Japan and Russia reaches up to 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'. This species is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 4-9.

Podophyllum hexandrum (Podophyllum emodi, Sinopodophyllum hexandrum) (Himalayan May Apple, Indian May Apple, Ban Kakri)
This species of Podophyllum is native to the Himalayas and western China, and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing 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, Racoonberry, Duck's Foot, Devil's Apple, Wild 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. American Mandrake grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8 and reach up to 18 inches tall when mature.

Podophyllum pleianthum (Dysosma pleiantha) (Many-Flowered Chinese Mayapple, Dysosma, Chinese Mayapple, Eight-Angled Lotus, Bā Jiǎo Lián, 八角莲)
These plants are native to southeast China and Taiwan, and are both shade-tolerant and deer resistant. They are suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 6-8. Individual plants reach up to between 1.5 and 2 feet tall when mature. Cultivars include 'The Giant' (to 40 inches tall), 'Snowfall' (with shredded creamy-white flowers) and 'Tai Wedding' (with 18-inch leaves and beet-red flowers).

Podophyllum versipellis (Podophyllum versipelle, Dysosma versipellis) (Chinese Mayapple, Ba Jiao Lian, Eight Angled Lotus, 八角莲)
These endangered plants are native to damp, shady forests in south and west China, and grow from underground rhizomes. They are suited for cultivating in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. 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

Take care when planting these in your yard as most plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested. 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. These flowers can survive for centuries in the landscape, and will form spreading colonies over time, producing new plants for the garden indefinitely.

Harvesting Podophyllum
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.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Podophyllum, or Mayapple, is best propagated by division or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Mayapple, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Podophyllum by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, and a spray bottle. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. A good potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds. They are contained inside of the fruits that follow flowers, which are ripe in late summer, typically from July through September. Harvest fruits when they have softened and changed color from yellow to red. Bring them indoors, and cut them open. Squeeze out the flesh and seeds, and then strain under cool running water. Clean seeds of all flesh to discourage mold, and then lay them out to dry. The seeds can be stored short-term in a bag of moistened sand or peat moss in the refrigerator. Seeds should not be allowed to dry out completely, as they will lose their viability.
Podophyllum seeds will need a period of cold-stratification in order to germinate. To complete this process, first place seeds in a bag or other sealable container filled with moistened sand or peat moss. Then, place the container in the refrigerator (or similarly cool, dark space) for three months. The ideal temperature for cold-stratification is between 33 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit. After the cold stratification period has passed, remove seeds from the container to sow them.
Get your container prepared. Water the seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place the seeds about a quarter inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with the spray bottle. Place the tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 30 to 90 days from sowing after cold-stratification is complete.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Podophyllum by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in early spring or fall. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Tease the roots apart and then separate the plant into sections, each with a healthy above-ground section of growth attached.
Replant the divisions in the ground or in containers, and then enjoy watching them grow.