Mayapple: Forest-Dwelling Wildflower Holds Surprises Beneath the Leaves

By Jennifer Correa-Kruegel, Warren County Naturalist

June 4, 2025

A mayapple flower peeks out from beneath its umbrella-like leaves, glistening with spring rain. Though often hidden, the solitary white bloom plays a vital role in the plant’s summer fruiting. Photo by Jennifer Correa-Kruegel.

In late spring and early summer, forest floors across New Jersey are dotted with clusters of small, green umbrella-shaped leaves — the signature foliage of the mayapple (podophyllum peltatum). Peeking under the leaves, you might find a solitary white flower with six to nine petals, offering plenty of pollen for bumblebees and other pollinators.

white flower under several large green leaves — Tucked beneath the layered green canopy, the mayapple’s hidden flower offers a quiet surprise to those who take a closer look. Photo by Jennifer Correa-Kruegel.

Mayapple is commonly found in NJ woods that are rich and damp as well as in shady clearings. In this naturalist’s own Warren County backyard, a hurricane that took down several trees opened up the canopy for a mayapple patch to bloom.

green canopy leaf — The broad, umbrella-like leaf of a mayapple provides shelter for the delicate flower beneath. Photo by Jennifer Correa-Kruegel.

Despite its name, mayapple flowers do produce an apple-like fruit, but not in May. Once pollinated, the fruit, green at first, ripens into a golden yellow later in the summer. Although the edible ripe fruit has a tasty reputation, caution is necessary: all other parts of the plant are poisonous.

Researchers are exploring the use of mayapples for potential medicinal purposes, including various cancer treatments, adding to the plant’s intrigue.

It if sometimes called called mandrake, due to its resemblance to the European plant of the same name, though they are not botanically related.

Fans of the Harry Potter series may recall the mandrake leaves used in a potion to undo petrification in the Chamber of Secrets — the mayapple’s distinctive leaves bear a striking resemblance to those plants.

Fun Facts:

Mayapple leaves resemble green umbrellas.
Fruit appears in summer, not May.
Most of the plant is poisonous.
Research is underway for its use in certain types of cancer treatments.
Sometimes called “mandrake” but not related to the European version.

Jennifer Correa-Kruegel, Warren County Naturalist

Jennifer has a Masters in Parks and Resource Management from Slippery Rock University. She worked as a Park Naturalist for Hunterdon County Park System from 2003-2006 and then at the NJSOC full-time from 2006 - 2020, starting as the Program Coordinator and evolving to an Environmental Educator. Jen is a New Jersey native and has lived in Warren County with her family since 2004. She is excited to be offering programs to this community she has grown to love.