Wild Foraging: Mayapples

Recently, I went on a walk in the woods near my house, and I was delighted with what I found.

I had read extensively about them but wasn’t aware that I was lucky enough to have some growing right in my own slice of property.

mayapple plant with fruit
mayapple plant with fruit

Dense, green foliage. Not a flower, not a fern. Not a mushroom, nor a tree. Six to eight leaves, splotched or solid green… And a delicious, tantalizing smell and taste.

So what are these mysterious plants I’m referring to?

They’re Mayapples!

With this revelation, I took another trip into the woods to examine the plants a little closer. I gasped with excitement when I discovered that some of the plants already have flower buds forming. They were almost ready to set fruit!

Are you interested in learning more about what these delicious little plants are – and how to find them? Keep reading to learn more!

patches of mayapples in the forest
patches of mayapples in the forest

What Exactly Are Mayapples?

Mayapples are a type of fruit that belongs to the genus Podophyllum. They are native to North America and can be found growing in woods, meadows, and open woodlands. Mayapples are typically about the size of a ping-pong ball and have a yellowish-green color.

The flesh of the fruit is edible, but it contains a small amount of toxin. Therefore, it is important to eat Mayapples in moderation and avoid consuming the seeds or rind.

Although Mayapples are not very abundant, they are considered to be a valuable source of nutrition due to their high vitamin C content. When eaten raw, Mayapples can help boost the immune system and protect against various diseases.

Mayapples are a plant that can be found in many different parts of the world. They are most commonly found in North America and Europe, but they can also be found in Russia and other parts of Asia. The plant is most commonly known for its edible fruit, which is a cash crop in many parts of the world.

Mayapples are a popular ingredient in fruit smoothies and jellies.

mayapple plant close-up
mayapple plant close-up

How to Identify Mayapples

Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) are easily recognizable herbaceous plants that are native to woodlands in the eastern United States. These unique plants can be identified by their single leaves which are attached to long stems.

Mayapples also have a small stem in the center of the leaf which bears a solitary white or rose-colored flower:

mayapple flower and leaf
mayapple flower and leaf

In late spring, this flower will develop into a large, greenish-yellow fruit.

Mayapples are typically found growing in shady areas with moist soil. Although the fruits of this plant are edible, they should not be eaten raw as they may cause stomach upset. When ripe, the fruits can be used in pies or preserves.

mayapple leaves dying off
mayapple leaves dying off

As the fruit ripens, the umbrella-shaped leaf dies away, leaving only a stem and a dangling fruit. I read that it can be hard to find them because by then the other plants have grown up around them, hiding the fruit from plain view. The forest will smell like lemons when it’s full of ready-to-pick Mayapples.

Some suggest that it’s easiest to just follow your nose to find them. I’m thinking I might cover a few with a wire cage before they go into hiding so that I might just beat the squirrels to at least one or two fruits.

mayapple plant with stem leaf and flower
mayapple plant with stem leaf and flower

Where to Find Mayapples

Mayapples are beautiful, unique plants that can be found in woods all across North America.

These plants prefer moist soil and dappled shade, so they are often found along paths or in areas where the tree canopy allows some sunlight to reach the ground. Mayapples typically grow in colonies.

If you’re interested in finding Mayapples, they can be found from Texas all the way to Nebraska, mayapple and from the East Coast to Canada.

Keep an eye out for these special plants the next time you’re exploring a forest!

When and How to Harvest Them

Mayapples are a delicate, woodland fruit, and harvesting them requires a light touch and patience. These lovely yellow fruits will be ripe for picking around June.

The mayapple’s short growing season means that you must act quickly to beat the forest critters to the harvest. Once picked, the mayapple can be eaten fresh or used in jams and jellies.

Be sure to save some of the seeds so you can plant them next year and enjoy another crop of these delicate fruits.

What Part of the Mayapple Plant is Edible?

The Mayapple fruit is edible and can be used in pies and jams, or simply eaten raw. The Mayapple root is also edible but must be cooked before consumption.

The root can be used to make a variety of different dishes, including soups and stews. In addition to its culinary uses, the Mayapple plant has a long history of medicinal use. The root was traditionally used to treat various ailments, such as colds and flu.

Today, the root is still used in some traditional medical practices.

On the other hand, the leaves and stems are poisonous, so definitely don’t eat those…

mayapple stem and leaves
mayapple stem and leaves

Can You Eat Mayapple Raw?

Although the fruit is technically edible, it is not recommended to eat mayapple raw due to its unpleasant tart taste.

When ripe, the mayapple can be used to make jams, jellies, and pies. It can also be dried and powdered to make tea.

Mayapple tea is said to have numerous health benefits, including easing stomach pain and boosting the immune system. In addition, the root of the mayapple plant can be used to make a topical ointment that is effective in treating various skin conditions.

What Do Mayapples Taste Like?

Mayapples have a tart and tangy taste that is similar to citrus fruits.

They are sometimes likened to bananas, but with a hint of lemon. Others say they taste like a cross between an orange and a grapefruit. Whatever the exact flavor, there is no doubt that mayapples are delicious.

They can be eaten fresh, baked into muffins, or used in any recipe that calls for banana, pumpkin, or zucchini.

They are often used in jams and jellies, as well as pies and other desserts. Mayapples can also be eaten raw, but they are quite sour and many people find them to be unpalatable.

The best way to enjoy mayapples is to add them to recipes where their tart flavor can balance out sweeter ingredients.

UPDATE (July 13th)

I took a walk into the woods this morning, to check on the progress of the Mayapple fruits. They’re still green and hard, not even close to being ready to harvest. I’ll keep checking back with the hopes of collecting at least one ripe fruit to sample.

Disclaimer and Final Thoughts

I am not an expert forager, so please do not take my word for it. Always do your research and be 100% sure you have properly identified a plant before consuming wild edibles.

There are many poisonous plants and plant parts to be aware of, so never be nonchalant about what you pick and put in your mouth.

Do you have Mayapples growing nearby? Have you had a chance to taste them?

18 thoughts on “Wild Foraging: Mayapples”

  1. I’d be interested in knowing whether you ever got to taste the Mayapple. I’m very experienced with the Mayapple plant, having watched it grow since I was a child. We have them by the thousands in the Mid-Western U.S. (Illinois and Missouri) and we use the growth of the Mayapple in determining the proper time to hunt morel mushrooms. The fruits are easy to spot early in their life-cycle, but by the time they are ripe, they are mostly foraged by wood critters. My wife and I picked several yesterday – mostly unripe – and are going to attempt seeing whether they will ripen on the counter before rotting. And then we are going to eat them. Hopefully.

    Reply
    • Quint,

      Just be careful with those unripe Mayapples. And don’t eat the seeds. I never did get my hands on a ripe one. I’m hoping to try again this year.

      Reply
  2. Hello…one more quick bit of info…I have always found luck hunting morel mmushrooms along and under Mayapples! Here in Va…morels usually start to pop up about the time Mayapples open up like an umbrella….between late April and early may! I’ve never tried the mayapple before…I know its not poisonous..just figured it wasn’t too appetising. Its about time to ginseng hunt here now..bestof luck to all the wild pickers!!

    Reply
  3. While the fruit of the Mayapple is said to be edible persons should use caution with the plant. The leaves, stems and roots are poisonous. Just touching the leaves and stems can cause a serious reaction for many folks. It would probably be a good idea to wear some kind of hand protection and long sleeves when attempting to pick the fruit.
    For many of you younger folks persons from the “hippie culture” in the 1960s and ’70s poisoned themselves by eating “poke salad” as a fresh plant without properly parboiling and cooking it.

    Reply
  4. We have them in our yard as well and up the street and on many of the hiking trails around us. I knew they produced a fruit, but have never tasted them, so would be curious as to what your thoughts are when you try them.

    Reply
  5. I found a Mayapple plant at a garden center about 15 years ago, and was delighted to get it to plant in my Georgia yard. It reminded me of the Mayapples I used to find in the Virginia woods. As of this year, they’ve spread nicely, and look really cool in the island in my front yard. I’ve yet to get a fruit from one of them, but I like your idea of a metal cage to keep the critters from getting all the fruit first.

    Reply
  6. Very interesting article. Too bad they dont grow in South Florida. I also read that it is also a medicinal plant.

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  7. Hi Kendra,
    Love this info. The children and I will check them out. We love learning about wild foraging.
    Many Blessings Miracle Farm Homestead

    Reply
  8. I watched Ruth Goodman pick mayapples on one of the historic farm series she did on BBC 2, but I just assumed they were a British plant. Now that you’ve shared, I believe I have them in the woods surrounding our property. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  9. That’s what those are? So cool 🙂 When I was little my Grandma had a ton of these in her back yard, and either I was little enough or they were big enough I could hide under them. There are less now ’cause the black raspberries have choked out some of them and also the English Ivy. It’s tempting to see if any of them have berries.

    Reply
  10. You know, I believe we have those as well behind our house on the hill going down to creek. Thanks for the information. I just might check them out. I looked them up in my Edible wild plants book and they are also in the Medicinal Wild Plants book as well. Seems the roots are excellent in the treatment of warts, venereal disease, and cancers. The Cherokee Indians use to make a tea each season and drink small amounts as a purgative and emetic. Also to kill and expel worms from their digestive tract. They made a tea from the roots and gave in minute doses to the children as a spring tonic. Lastly, the root tea was credited as an antidote for poisons and snakebites. Amazing, drink a poison tea to kill a poison. Amazing discovery you came upon. Great information. Thanks a bunch.

    Reply

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