mayapple
noun
may·ap·ple
ˈmā-ˌa-pəl 
: 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
The garden is divided into different areas: there’s a white garden blooming with azaleas, mock orange, and dwarf Solomon’s seal; a woodland section featuring native species like mayapple and wood poppy; and the remains of George’s organic vegetable garden.
—
Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Mar. 2026
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, Nashville Tennessean, 17 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
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Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Mar. 2026
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, Nashville Tennessean, 17 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
Cite this Entry
“Mayapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mayapple. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mayapple
noun
may·ap·ple
ˈmā-ˌap-əl
: 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
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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