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.

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 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!

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 vitamin C content.

Mayapples are a plant that can be found in many different parts of the world. They are only found in North America, and are a popular ingredient in fruit smoothies and jellies.

Toxicity

This plant is mostly toxic unless you’re eating the ripe fruit, which is considered safe. So let me just make a quick list that should make it clear. This is safe:

• ✅ the yellow, soft, ripe mayapple fruit without skin

This is NOT safe:

• ❌ the green, unripe mayapple fruit
• ❌ roots
• ❌ leaves
• ❌ stem
• ❌ seeds
• ❌ skin

In addition, the resin extract from its root, podophyllin, is used in prescription meds – But don’t try to make your own ointment because podophyllin resin is a cytotoxic poison – and your experiment can easily go sideways. The fatal dose in humans is actually very small, around half a gram!

There is actually a documented case of poisoning that I found – and mind you this was because of the solution I mentioned above that was prescribed by a doctor! The study linked says:

According to the CDC, podophyllum is no longer recommended as a treatment of external genital warts because of safer alternative options.

How to Identify Mayapples

Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) e plants can be identified when they are young by their single leaves which are attached to long stems. But mature ones actually have two leaves. The flower grows in the fork (axil) between these two leaves on a mature plant, dangling beneath them.

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.

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.

Where to Find Them

Mayapples are beautiful, unique plants that can be found in woods all across North America. These plants like 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, 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 ripe, skinned, mayapple fruit is edible and can be used in pies and jams, or simply eaten raw. The Mayapple root and all other parts of the plant are all toxic.

Can You Eat Mayapple Raw?

No, you shouldn’t to eat it raw. Only the yellow ripe fruit is edible.

What Do Mayapples Taste Like?

Mayapples have a tart and tangy taste 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 cannot and should not be eaten raw. Only the fully ripe yellow fruit is edible!

The best way to enjoy them is to add them to recipes where their tart flavor can balance out sweeter ingredients. Here are a few that I found:

• smoothies and pancakes
• cake and ice cream
• and, of course, jelly

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?