Perennials, Weeds > Podophyllum > Podophyllum peltatum > Podophyllum peltatum
Podophyllum peltatum
May Apple, Umbrella Plant
Mike's
Opinion
"
This is a wonderful woodland plant species often found in climax forests in Southern Ontario. It is often seen carpeting the ground in large patches to the exclusion of most other species. The flower is quite large, broad petaled and white in colour. The fruit ripens to a bright red and is purported to be edible. Seldom used in the garden as a groundcover but worth the effort. It dies back to the ground in early summer thus to be effective as a groundcover it needs a companion to fill the bare spot later in the season.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Berberidaceae |
| Genus |
| Podophyllum |
| Species |
| peltatum |
| Category |
| Perennials, Weeds |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 3 - 8 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 1a - 8a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H4 - H7 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -40 - (-9) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -40 - 20 |
| Height |
| 30 - 45 cm |
| Spread |
| 22 - 30 cm |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| Landscape |
| Used in wild or woodland gardens, or in a moist and shaded border. |
| Cultivation |
| Grow in filtered sun or shade, in a moist, rich, deep soil. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| Habitat |
| Eastern North American woodlands. |
| Leaf Description |
| Palmate leaves up to 20-30 cm diameter with 5-9 deeply cut lobes on reproductive individuals, or one peltate (umbrella-like) leaf on sterile individuals. |
| Flower Description |
| The single secund white flower 3-5 cm diameter, with 6-8 petals, is produced at the axil of the two leaves. |
| Fruit Description |
| Yellowish-green fruit 2-5 cm long, produced early summer and ripens later in summer. |
| Notable Specimens |
| The A.M. Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. Joany’s Woods, West Williams, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada. |
| Propagation |
| Propagate by division or from fresh, ripe seed. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| Fruit is edible, but may have laxative effects. |
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