Mayapple

Podophyllum peltatum

Illustration: Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) with ripe yellow fruit

Identification: Colonies of umbrella-like plants: one or two large round deeply-lobed leaves per stem. Single nodding white flower under the leaf pair; fruit ripens to soft, wrinkled YELLOW (lemon-like).

Dangerous look-alikes: The UNRIPE GREEN fruit and all other plant parts are toxic (podophyllotoxin). Only the fully ripe, soft yellow fruit is edible — and even then in moderation. See the High-Risk Index plate.

Edible parts: Fully ripe yellow fruit only.

Season and habitat: Fruit ripens midsummer. Rich deciduous woods.

Preparation: Eat fresh when dead-ripe and fragrant — custard-like, tropical flavor. Never eat green fruit, leaves, roots, or seeds in quantity.

Notes: The plant dies back by late summer, so the fruit window is short.