Mayapple
Podophyllum peltatum
Last reviewed: June 2026
Mayapple is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
8"–16" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 31 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Mayapple is a unique woodland perennial that forms colonies of umbrella-like leaves, each plant producing one or two large, deeply lobed leaves. It blooms with single white flowers in late spring, followed by edible yellow fruits in summer, though the plant goes completely dormant by midsummer.
In an HOA neighborhood
Mayapple takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Goes completely dormant by midsummer leaving bare ground
- Spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes
- Wild woodland appearance doesn't fit typical landscape expectations
Wildlife value
The flowers attract bees and beetles during the brief spring blooming period. The fruits provide food for box turtles and small mammals when they ripen in late summer.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Mayapple and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.