What’s Coming Up In The Garden, 1: May Apple

Starting a new series, since everything I’ve been signed up for is now canceled - I’m all for “flattening the curve” when it comes to COVID-19. For someone who overextends as a normal mode of operation, this is pushing me to slow down, do the things that I already love doing but often rush through, and take the time to document some of them.

What’s coming up today, or at least what I’ll feature today, is the may apple.

This is a native North Carolina woodland plant that volunteered itself along our woods’ edge. I enjoy seeing the big patch of green in early spring, and will watch for the flowers and single berries that will appear as the plant matures.

A little more info:

Cressler, Alan 

Podophyllum peltatum

Podophyllum peltatum L.

www.izelplants.com

Mayapple colonizes by rhizomes, forming dense mats in damp, open woods. The common name refers to the May blooming of its apple-blossom-like flower. Although the leaves, roots, and seeds are poisonous if ingested in large quantities, the roots were used as a cathartic by Native Americans.

As you can see, we’re well on track for a May bloom, and keeping an eye on this beauty will help pass the days as we all live through the pandemic.

May we all stay healthy and use this time to putter, ponder, and do what we can to help those who need it most.

(Also, please consider the current administration’s poor response to this mess and prepare to vote for someone competent to lead in November.)