Podophyllum peltatum - Mayapple

Podophyllum peltatum – Mayapple is a fascinating woodland perennial from eastern North America, forming colonies of large, glossy, deeply lobed leaves that resemble miniature umbrellas. In spring, nodding, fragrant white flowers appear beneath the foliage, followed by yellow, oval fruits later in the season.

Growing to around 40–50cm tall and spreading 1–1.5m, it thrives in partial to full shade and moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens and naturalistic planting.

RHS H7 hardy, Podophyllum peltatum is an unusual and highly effective ground-cover plant for shady areas. The fruit should not be eaten.

Photo credit: Eric Hunt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons