Mayapple
White, nodding flower underneath and between a pair of large, deeply lobed, umbrella-like leaves. Flowers were approximately 3cm wide. Spotted growing in a damp woodland habitat. There were at least a hundred plants in various stages of development throughout the woods.
The common name refers to the May blooming of its apple-like flower. The leaves, roots, and seeds can be poisonous if ingested. However, roots were once used as a strong purgative by Native Americans. The fruit is edible and is used in jelly, juice, or eaten fresh. The fruit is egg-shaped and ripens July-August.
Mayapples are woodland plants, typically growing in colonies derived from a single root. The stems grow to 30–40 cm tall, with palmately lobed umbrella-like leaves up to 20–40 cm diameter with 3–9 shallowly to deeply cut lobes.
