Mayapple by Wanderer MoonChild

Mayapple

by Wanderer MoonChild

Botanical Basics

1. Common Name(s): Mayapple, American Mandrake, Wild Mandrake, Hog Apple, Ground Lemon
2. Folk Name(s): Duck’s Foot, Raccoon Berry, Devil’s Apple, Umbrella Plant
3. Scientific/Latin Name: Podophyllum peltatum
4. Family: Berberidaceae (Barberry family)
5. Plant Type: Perennial herbaceous plant
6. Botanical Description: Mayapple grows 12–18 inches tall with umbrella-like leaves. Each plant produces one or two large, deeply lobed leaves on forked stems. Plants with two leaves bear a single nodding, white, waxy flower (1–2 inches wide) in spring, which later produces a fleshy yellow fruit. Rhizomatous roots spread in colonies.
7. Growing Zones/Climate: USDA Zones 3–8
8. Best Zones for Growth: Eastern North America, particularly shaded woodlands and moist, humus-rich soils.
9. Habitat & Range: Native to eastern United States and southeastern Canada; found in deciduous forests, shady slopes, and damp meadows.

Cultivation & Harvest

1. Soil & Sun Requirements: Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil; thrives in dappled shade or woodland understory.
2. Propagation: Primarily by rhizome division; seeds possible but slow to establish.
3. Companion Planting: Pairs well with other woodland plants such as trilliums, ferns, and wild ginger.
4. Harvesting Guidelines: Root and rhizome are the medicinally used parts; harvesting should be done with extreme caution due to toxicity. Fruit is edible only when fully ripe (yellow and soft).
5. Drying/Preservation: Roots can be carefully dried and powdered, but this is not recommended for casual or home herbalism because of its toxicity.

Traditional & Historical Use

1. Cultural Significance: Indigenous peoples used mayapple in medicine and sometimes as a food (ripe fruit only).
2. Traditional Medicine: Used historically by Native Americans as a laxative, for liver conditions, and as a purgative. Later adopted in European-American medicine for its strong cathartic properties.
3. Symbolism: Represents both danger and healing—the “dual nature” of plants with toxic and medicinal potential.

Medicinal & Practical Properties

1. Active Constituents: Podophyllotoxin (highly toxic resin), flavonoids, lignans.
2. Medicinal Uses: Historically used as a purgative, vermifuge, and liver tonic; in modern medicine, purified podophyllotoxin derivatives are used in topical treatments for warts and in anti-cancer drugs.
3. Preparation Methods: Traditionally as tinctures, poultices, or decoctions—but not safe for self-preparation. Modern use is pharmaceutical only.
4. Dosage & Guidelines: Unsafe for home use; improper dosage is highly toxic. Pharmaceutical preparations are strictly regulated.
5. Safety/Precautions: All parts except the ripe fruit are poisonous. Overdose causes vomiting, diarrhea, paralysis, respiratory failure, and death. Should never be used casually in herbal medicine.

Magical & Spiritual Properties

1. Elemental Association: Earth
2. Planetary/Deity Correspondence: Saturn (baneful/heavy energy); sometimes associated with underworld deities.
3. Magical Correspondences: Protection, baneful magic, curses, hex breaking.
4. Ritual Use: Root and leaves were historically used in protective charms, hexing powders, and baneful workings. Fruit may sometimes be used in fertility or abundance charms (with caution).
5. Symbolism in Divination/Dreams: May signal danger, caution, or the presence of hidden potential—both healing and harm.

Ecological & Culinary Uses

1. Pollinator Value: Flowers attract early spring pollinators, especially bumblebees.
2. Wildlife Uses: Ripe fruits are eaten by box turtles and other wildlife, aiding seed dispersal.
3. Culinary Uses: Only the fully ripe fruit is edible, with a lemony taste; unripe fruit, leaves, and roots are toxic.

Household/Practical Uses

1. Quick Uses: Not used in the household due to toxicity.
2. Notable Traits: Both a poison and a medicine; the root yields compounds for cancer treatments.
3. Special Notes: Ripe fruit can be made into jams or jellies, but only with great caution and proper identification.

Supporting Notes

1. Foster, S. & Duke, J.A. Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs
2. Grieve, M. A Modern Herbal
3. USDA Plant Database – Podophyllum peltatum
4. American Cancer Society (on podophyllotoxin use in chemotherapy)