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

Jack in the Pulpit and mayapples are among the season’s first arrivals; coneflowers and black-eyed Susans dot the surrounding meadows June through August. — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 20 Apr. 2026

Participants will learn about spring flowers such as bluebells and mayapples and get identification tips. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 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

Word History

Etymology

May

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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