IMG_8035, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

Mayapples are starting to make their presence known to the forest again. They open up like umbrellas.

Mayapple’s scientific name Podophyllum peltatum, means “foot leaf” and “shield shaped”, which describes the leave shape quite well.

Well ripened fruits are edible by humans, having a lemony, banana like taste.

Mayapples grow in colonies. Basically they are all clones connected through underground root systems. That is why you rarely see just one mayapple.