Every spring I begin the hunt for the mayapple. This is a plant that grows wild and usually it I find it in ditches alongside the road, but sometimes it is growing in the midst of a group of trees.
It is a plant that you might notice because it usually grows in colonies. My research tells me that these plants may be connected underground through systems of thick rhizomes. (Rhizomes are subterranean stems of a plant often sending shoots and roots from its nodes.)

Also called hogapple, Indian apple, mayflower, umbrella plant, wild lemon, wild mandrake, American mandrake or “devil’s apple”
The leaves are large and umbrella shaped. If that’s all you see, you are missing the magic of this plant. Each stem splits and a flower grows in the V.
Here is a young bud, but look below and see the fully developed flower. Some must be shy or else the view is better looking away from the road. So delicate and beautiful!
Just like an apple blossom from a tree, this flower develops into a miniature apple.
The ripened fruit is edible in moderate amounts, though when consumed in large amounts the fruit is poisonous. I wonder what a massive amount is. The apple is no bigger than an M & M. The American Indians used it for medicinal purposes. It can also be used topically for warts.
Interestingly it is not the apple that develops in May, but the blossom appears in May. Apparently the apple develops later, so maybe I have not seen the fully developed apple. When the weather gets hot the plant seems to wither away until next year.
Now you have met Mayapple, perhaps you will be seeing it as you drive country roads.
And now I’ve met the Mayapple! What a treat.
I am fascinated by plants. I have been ever since I took a botany class in college. This post is I mini-botany lesson! I will be on the lookout when I walk from now on… I wonder if I will find it in my neck of the woods.
Never knew of the Mayapple. Yes, thanks for being our teacher of nature’s wonder.
Mayapples . . . never heard of them until today. Do we have them in the Northwest? Thanks for this lovely slice and the pictures that accompany it. Thanks for sharing the magic with us.
I always learn something new on your blog Elsie! I wonder if I have ever seen them before? I’ll certainly be looking now!
I am guaranteed to learn something new every time I read your blog! Mayapple! I don;t just know the name now, I also know what it looks like! Thank you for being a teacher to me!
We used to hunt for these when I was young (and in Missouri). Colorado just doesn’t have that moist climate for them. The flower is so lovely, Elsie. Thanks for telling about them.
I’ve never heard of Mayapple! Thank you for the lesson, elsie! 🙂 Gorgeous pictures, as always!
Thanks for the great slice on Mayapples. I’m sure I’ve probably seen them, but didn’t know what they were. I’ll look more closely now. They are very interesting to look at and you made them come alive in your slice. Thanks.
Whimsical. This is the word that comes to mind after reading your post. Thanks. I always can use more whimsy in my life.
Ruth
Mayapples look beautiful! I’ve never seen them before. I wonder if they grow here in NJ. I’ll have to keep my eye out!
Once again I am learning something from you. I love the way you notice all of nature’s glory! 🙂
You are teaching so much about the nature all around us.
Thanks my friend
I love the close-ups and how you discovered the blossom in the V…how intriguing. Learning about rhizomes was really interesting… underground systems and communities. I always learn from you Leanne, thank you. xo
I am intrigued and recognize that I need to see more in the world out there.
How interesting! I’ve never heard of the Mayapple. I wonder if it grows around here…. I’ll have to check it out! Thanks for the interesting slice! I learned something new from you today.
What a lovely, delicate blossom. And one you would have to look for very closely…and they seem to appear in a solitary way, too. I think there might be a poem hiding in this bloom!
I love the Mayapple. I see them on my daily walks through the park. We used to find mushrooms near Mayapple colonies. Not sure if they go together…but it seemed to work for us. Your pictures are wonderful. Love the one of the bloom. Jackie