Podophyllum peltatum
Mayapple
This unique perennial has only two leaves and one flower, that blooms in late spring.
Description:
This unique perennial has only two leaves and one flower. The leaves unfurl once the stem pushes out of the ground and reaches its maximum height of about 1 foot. Hidden under the canopy of the broad leaves, the single white showy flower blooms in May, followed by the swelling and summer ripening of a relatively large fruit – the “Mayapple”. This plant lives in shady, damp woods and forms colonies through rhizomes under the humus-rich soil. By summer’s end, the leaves senesce and the plant goes dormant. Mayapple is a unique addition to a woodland garden.
Wildlife Value: Long-tongued bees visit the blooming flowers. The fruit is prized by woodland mammals including raccoons, opossums, skunks, squirrels and mice, as well as Eastern Box Turtles.
Plant Details:
Plant Type: Flower, Perennial, Groundcover
New Jersey Native: Yes
Bloom Times: Spring
Bloom Colors: White
Deer Resistance: Some
Attracts Pollinators and Wildlife: Bees and Other Pollinators
Salt Tolerance: Unknown
Hardiness Zone: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
Physiographic Region: All Regions in NJ
Soil Characteristics
Soil Type: Loam, Organic, Sandy
Soil Moisture: Dry, Moist, Wet
Soil pH: Acidic, Slightly Acidic, Neutral
Light Needs of Plant
Optimal Light: Shade
Light Range: Partial Shade, Shade
Water Needs of Plant
Soil Moisture: Dry, Moist, Wet
Drought Tolerance: Low
Size and Growth Rate
Height: 1 - 1.5 ft
Spread: .75 - 1 ft
Growth Rate: Medium-fast