Quick answer: Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) is native to 35 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. It's typically live plant, verified 15 Sep 2026.
Photo: Eric Hunt, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Part Shade, Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Medium water, Moist |
| Soil | Moist, humus-rich soils - sandy, sandy loam, medium loam |
| Bloom | Bloom Mar-May |
| Height | 12-18 in tall |
| Wildlife value | Not recorded in the wildflower.org profile |
Unripe fruit, leaves, roots highly toxic, may be fatal if eaten. Symptoms: salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, excitement, headache, fever, coma. Toxic principle: podophyllin
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (15 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Sold as: Live plant via Amazon · listing verified 15 Sep 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about Mayapple
Where is Mayapple native?
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) is native to 35 states across the Northeast, Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Mayapple bloom?
Mayapple blooms Mar-May. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Mayapple need?
Light: Part Shade, Shade. Water: Medium water, Moist. Soil: Moist, humus-rich soils - sandy, sandy loam, medium loam. Mature height: 12-18 in tall.
Is Mayapple deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Mayapple is deer-resistant and tolerates shade.
Is Mayapple toxic?
Unripe fruit, leaves, roots highly toxic, may be fatal if eaten. Symptoms: salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, excitement, headache, fever, coma. Toxic principle: podophyllin.
Where can I buy real Mayapple seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as live plant that names the true species, last checked 15 Sep 2026. Look for the scientific name Podophyllum peltatum on any listing.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Mayapple.
- Lanceleaf coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata
- Christmas fern Polystichum acrostichoides
- Sweet Joe-Pye Eutrochium purpureum
- Eastern red columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- Great blue lobelia Lobelia siphilitica
- Cinnamon fern Osmunda cinnamomea
Also listed under
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