Podophyllum peltatum
Researcher: Tanner Filyaw
Common Names:
mayapple
devil's apple
hog apple
indian apple
umbrella plant
wild lemon
american mandrake (20)
raccoon berry
duck's foot (7)
Genus: Podophyllum (7), contains 2
species (8)
Family: Berberidaceae (7), contains 11
genera (8)
Synonyms:
Podophyllum peltatum L. f. aphyllum
Plitt
Podophyllum peltatum L. f. biltmoreanum Steyerm.
Podophyllum peltatum L. f. deamii
Raymond
Podophyllum peltatum L. f. polycarpum (Clute) Plitt (10)
Podophyllum hexandrum Royale (86)
Relatives: Podophyllum emodi Wall. (Himalayan mayapple)
Duration:Herbaceous perennial (20)
Habit:Clonal herb that occurs in patches (20)
Height: 6-18 in. (20)
(c) 2003 Steven J. Baskauf -
Terms of use
Stems:Stems are herbaceous and can be
either single stalked or branched.Branching
stems indicate that a plant has the capability
to flower, and will produce a flowering
stock from the fork of the two braches (78) .
http://www.usi.edu/science/biology/
TwinSwamps/Podophyllum_peltatum.htm
Leaves:Leaves are dark green, broad, and umbrella shaped, typically measuringseveral inches in diameter, and have deep sinuses (20). Flowering individuals will have two leaves, whereas non-flowering plants will only
one (14).
Jennifer Anderson. Wild Cat Den State Park,
Muscatine, Muscatine Co., IA. 2002. USDA
Plants Database
Flowers:The mayapple produces a single
solitary white flower (20), that emerges from
the fork of the branching stalk during early
and late spring (14). The flower is considered pedicillate, measuring 3.5-6.5 centimeters in diameter, has 6-9 petals, with 12-18 stamens, and has a single carpel (84).
mwrop.org/.../Mayapple_Fruit_Columbia
040523.jpg
Fruit:The fruit of P. peltatum is a large
berry measuring 1-2 inches in length,
and is actually the only non-poisonous part
of the plant (20). The fruit turns from green
to yellow, and ripens during late summer.
As it begins to mature the fruit develops and sweet and pleasant taste that somewhat resembles a strawberry (33). The ripened
fruit of P. peltatum is considered edible
(85), but it is important to know that the
un-ripe fruit of P. peltatum is still highly
toxic, and should not be ingested (33).
Mayapple root photo by Richard A.
"Richo" Cech taken at Horizon Herbs farm
Roots: The rhizome is reddish brown in
color and is harvested in the fall after the
plant has set a dormant terminal bud (84)
The root will typically measure 2-3 feet in
length if completely uprooted (33), and can average 8-13 centimeters of growth per
year (83). The root is also the most
poisonous part of the plant, and should never
be ingested for the purpose of self
medication (20).
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Seeds: Seed production in P. peltatum is somewhat infrequent since most reproduction
is achieved through asexual methods. When sexual reproduction does occur plants
typically produce an average of 3.9 seeds per fruit (85), and require a period of cold stratification prior
to germination (88). Mayapple seeds are
said to have a thick stony endocarp (seed
coat) that can actually inhibit germination. Researchers have discovered that Eastern
Box Turtles ( Terrapene carlolina ) have a remarkable impact on mayapple seed germination, and are the primary dispersal
agent of the species. According to Braun and Brooks (1987), seeds ingested by the turtles exhibited a 38.7% germination rate, whereas
un-digested seeds only had a success rate of 8.5%. This is because the digestive processes
of the turtles are able to reduce the thickness
of the seed coat, allowing for germination to
take place more easily (88).
Pollination: Primary pollinators of P. peltatum are members of the genus Bombus, which are commonly known as bumble bees. Seed set is dependent on bees transferring pollen from one population to another, which may not be as simple as it sounds (81). According to Rust and Roth (1981) improper pollination is one of the most common causes of flower abortion and pollen loss for P. peltatum (79).
Habitat: Mayapple prefers mixed deciduous forest environments, but can be found growing in a variety of locations, including fields, and moist roadside areas (85). Soils are typically rich and leafy with pH values ranging between 4-7 (4). In a forested setting the species prefers a semi-open canopy (14), and will rapidly take advantage of small openings, and canopy gaps (92).
Associations:
Beech - ( Fagus grandifolia )
Sugar Maple - ( Acer saccharum )
Eastern Hemlock- (Tsuga canadensis)
Basswood - ( Tilia americana )
White Pine - ( Pinus strobus )
Red Oak - ( Quercus borealis )
Red Maple - ( Acer rubrum )
Dutchman's-Breeches - ( Dicentra )
Trout-Lily - ( Erythronium )
Spring-Beauty - ( Claytonia )
Trillium - ( Trillium )
Violets - ( Viola )
Bloodroot - ( Sanguinaria canadensis )
Blue Cohosh - (Caulophyllum
thalictroides ) (10)
American Elm – ( Fraxinus americana )
Tulip Poplar – ( Liriodendron
tulipifera )
Hepatica acutiloba (90)
Range:Southern Maine to Florida , west to Texas and Minnesota (4)
Native – to Eastern North America (20)
Pests/diseases:
First incidence of disease in documented 2002 (33).
Gray Mold - ( Botrytis cinerea )
Leaf Blight - ( Septotinia podophyllinia )
Leaf Spots - ( Phyllosticta podophyllinia )
( Septoria podophyllinia )
Stem Rot - ( Rhizoctonia )
Rust - ( Puccinia podophylli )
Other threats: Over harvesting of natural populations
Conservation status: Mayapple has been listed as an endangered species in Florida in an attempt to conserve remaining populations (8). Research is also being conducted to improve cultivation techniques, and the extraction of medicinal constituents from the leaves of P. peltatum to help curb the unsustainable harvesting of wild populations (78).
History/culture: For centuries P. peltatum has been used to treat many ailments, and has been used for several other practical applications. Native Americans use to drink a brew of mayapple as a laxative, and to expel intestinal worms. The plant was also applied topically to treat warts and tumors (20). Aside from medical uses, other applications were discovered for the plant as well, including use as a pesticide, and a treatment for corn seeds prior to planting to ward of birds and other pests (33).
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