mayapple

noun

may·​ap·​ple ˈmā-ˌa-pəl How to pronounce mayapple (audio)
: a North American herb (Podophyllum peltatum) of the barberry family with a poisonous rootstock, one or two large-lobed peltate leaves, and a single large white flower followed by a yellow egg-shaped edible fruit
also : its fruit

Examples of mayapple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Add in some ferns, mayapples, and spring ephemerals like bloodroot, red trillium, trout lily, and Virginia bluebells for early season interest. Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2025 One key tip off that morels are ready is the presence of mayapples, a woodland plant with large umbrella-like leaves. Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 24 Apr. 2025 Colonies of mayapples spread near the walking trail hiding their white flowers beneath their leaves. Keith Sharon, The Tennessean, 16 Apr. 2025 The most common ones found in Maryland are white trillium, bloodroot, Virginia bluebells, mayapples, spring beauties and dutchman’s Breeches. Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025 That group includes shorter woodland plants, like mayapple and bloodroot. Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024 Kuo writes that black morels appear in his area (downstate Illinois) when mayapples reach a height of 3 to 6 inches. Chelsey Lewis, Journal Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2023 The mayapple features a big, white flower that hangs down between the leaves and develops a little green fruit that like the entire plant is toxic. Peter Krouse, cleveland, 27 May 2022 In Waukesha, Linder said her blended gardens lean cottage style but also include a variety of woodland natives including wild geranium, mayapple, bloodroot, wild ginger and both red and white trillium. Jennifer Rude Klett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5 May 2022

Word History

Etymology

May

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mayapple was in 1731

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mayapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mayapple. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

mayapple

noun
may·​ap·​ple ˈmā-ˌap-əl How to pronounce mayapple (audio)
: a North American large-leaved woodland herb related to the barberries that produces a single large waxy white flower followed by a yellow egg-shaped fruit
also : its edible fruit

Medical Definition

mayapple

noun
may·​ap·​ple ˈmā-ˌap-ᵊl How to pronounce mayapple (audio)
often capitalized
1
: a North American herb of the genus Podophyllum (P. peltatum) having a poisonous rootstock and rootlets that are a source of the drug podophyllum
2
: the yellow egg-shaped edible but often tasteless fruit of the mayapple

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