![]() ![]() ![]() Mayapples and morel mushrooms enjoy the same growing conditions, so if you like to hunt for morels, look for mayapples. The European mandrake is a member of the nightshade family Solanaceae and is not related to our native mayapple, although both are toxic and both have historic and current medicinal uses.įaerie folke use the mayapple as an umbrella when it rains (according to what people told me as a little child). According to legend, the plant screams when pulled out of the ground and the terrible scream causes anyone hearing it to go insane. Mayapple FolkloreĪll the folklore surrounding the European mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) have been attributed to our native mayapple. Native Americans and herbalists have long used the Mayapple to treat for worms, induce vomiting, and (how shall I say this politely?) as a really, really strong laxative. Once the actual mayapple fruit ripens, people eat it in small quantities and even use them to make jelly. The fruit actually appears in the summer and ripens to a rich yellow color later in the summer.Īlthough all the plant contains podophyllotoxin and is highly toxic if consumed, it can be used as a topical medicine. This spring ephemeral grows in wooded areas, springing up, as if by Magick, before deciduous trees leaf out. It’s native through most of the eastern United States and the southeastern part of Canada. Mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) is also known as ground lemon, Witches Umbrella, American Mandrake and wild mandrake. Just two or three days ago, I looked out my window and – poof! – there they were! What are Mayapples? ![]() It has been a long, cold and rainy spring – summer is taking its own sweet time about getting here! I don’t know about YOU, but I’m looking forward to complaining about how HOT it is! There are signs of improvement…the redbud trees are blooming, the daffodils have been glorious and are beginning to fade, and…the mayapples have magically appeared. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |