American Mandrake, also known as Mayapples, Wild or Ground Lemon, Racoon Berry, Indian Apple, Wild Jalap, Maracocks, Citron and doubtlessly by many other names is deadly poisonous yet it also produces some of the most delicious wild fruits you will ever taste.
These are Mayapples in early April. Like many poisonous plants Mayapples are also extremely valuable medicinally. The Phodophyllin which is lethal in too strong a dose, blocks cell division and has been used widely and successfully in treating cancer.
(Mayapples in early May)
American Indians used (and I would imagine still use) Mayapples for a variety of purposes. The roots are used as a potent Cathartic (purging drug/laxative). It has also been used to treat ear infections, warts, skin eruptions, syphilis and worms.
Mayapple plant in mid-late May
Mayapples were cultivated by the Algonquins and probably by other Native people as well.
A good patch is hard to miss as they are very distinct in shape and are really quite lovely.
Here in upstate New York Mayapples flower in late May or early June. The flowers droop underneath the umbrella-like leaves.
Mayapples are mentioned by both Samuel de Champlain in Canada and John Smith in Virginia in the early 17th century. Many accounts of Mayapple refers to it's use as a suicide drug or as a poison. If you accidentally eat a Mayapple root, or too much of the leaf or stalk, inducing vomiting can save you - but if you do not do so death can occur in a matter of hours.
Mayapple fruits have an indescribable taste. All I can say is that you should look for them in August and try them out. You will understand why I wait expectantly all summer to harvest them.
I prefer to spit out the seeds, although I have never heard of them making someone sick.
DELICIOUS!
