Podophyllum

This small group of perennials (commonly called May Apples) is originally from North America, the Himalayas and western China. They grow from 12 to 18 inches high and have large, deeply lobed leaves on long, fleshy stems, which rise straight up from the soil. The name Podophyllum is taken from podos, a foot, and phyllon, a leaf, and refers to the resemblance of the leaves to a duck's foot. A drug known as podophyllin is made from the rhizomes of these plants. P. hexandrum has pretty leaves that are divided into 3 lobes. They completely unfurl after the plant has bloomed and are dark green splotched with brown. In the spring, white or pale pink, 6-petaled flowers are borne at the ends of stout stems; these are followed by fleshy, oval, red berries.

Pot Cultivation

May Apples need moist, humus-rich soil and a partially shaded spot. Dig the soil deeply and enrich it with leaf mold, peat moss or good compost. Set the crowns just below the surface of the soil, in April. These plants do not like to be disturbed as they provide the best flowers when they are allowed to become firmly established.

Propagation

Seeds may be sown in the fall, or the plants may be divided in the spring.

P. hexandrum

VARIETIES

• P. hexandrum;
• P. peltatum.