what’s this plant growing next to a sidewalk? ellicott city, maryland
by discorduser123333333
what’s this plant growing next to a sidewalk? ellicott city, maryland
by discorduser123333333
11 Comments
Mayapple.
Years ago, Mayapple taught me a new word. When a friend wondered of the fruit was edible, we looked it up. The fruit is edible but its flavor is “insipid”, meaning without interest or uninspiring!
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podophyllum_peltatum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podophyllum_peltatum)
What a lovely stand of mayapple! That probably took decades to grow to that size. And right by a sidewalk, just untouched like that?!? Inconceivable!
In their native open woodland habitats, mayapple fruits are eaten and the seeds spread by eastern box turtles. 🧡💚
If it flowers in May and fruits in June, why is it called mayapple? How about juneapple or may flower?
Morels often grow near mayapple. Just sayin…keep an eye out!
Mayapple, AKA American Mandrake.
This is a poisonous plant. Mandrake (and this stuff is called American mandrake) is used in fairy tales and stories about witches who leave mandrake under a cursed one’s pillow or under their beds. Wikipedia says “after ripening” the yellow “fruit” is edible in small amounts but personally, I wouldn’t try eating it.
The resin from the roots is used in very careful doses to treat genital warts
It’s super caustic and has to be applied by a healthcare provider.
Looks like your morels should be popping too
Been known to find morels growing under them
It has anti viral properties. we extracted the compounds in orgnic chemistry.