Podophyllum peltatum

May Apple Berberidaceae

The classic May Apple, and one of the great North American woodland plants. From creeping rhizomes arise curious, pale stems bearing one or two enormous, umbrella-like leaves, beneath which the solitary, nodding white flower is often rather coyly concealed. The flowers are fragrant and appear in spring, followed by smooth, oval fruits which ripen from green to yellow. Given space, it makes a magnificent colony beneath deciduous trees, its foliage disappearing completely in autumn. Native from south-eastern Canada through much of the eastern United States, it is an important component of rich, moist deciduous woodland. 

Grow in deep or dappled shade in fertile, humus-rich soil which remains reliably moist but well drained. It is particularly effective beneath mature deciduous trees, where it can slowly spread to form a substantial groundcover. Propagate by seed sown fresh or by division when dormant. The RHS rates it H7, making it exceptionally hardy in Britain. 

The ripe yellow fruit has a long history of use by Native American peoples and can be eaten when fully ripe, but the unripe fruit, leaves, stems and rhizomes contain podophyllotoxin and are poisonous. The rhizome has also been important medicinally, providing podophyllotoxin, a compound used in the pharmaceutical industry. Consequently, this is a plant whose edible fruit comes with a rather emphatic botanical warning: ripe fruit only, and in moderation. 

Height: 30–50cm
Spread: 100–150cm
Flowering: April–May
Position: Full or partial shade
Soil: Moist, humus-rich and well drained
Hardiness: H7 (<−20°C)
Propagation: Seed or division