Indian Apple, Wild Mandrake, Pomme De Mai, Podophylle Pelt
Family:
Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)
Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map
East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers
Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands
Plant Characteristics
Growth Form
Herbaceous
Height
1
to
1.5
ft.
Spread
0.5
to
1
ft.
Leaf Retention
Deciduous
Lifespan
Perennial
Habitat and Care Requirements
Soil Type(s)
Sand, Loam, Acid, Rich, Moist
Light Requirement
Sun, Part Shade
Water Requirement
Medium
Native Habitat
Woodland
Bloom and Attraction
Bloom Color
White, Pink
Bloom Season
Spring
Seasonal Interest
Fruit
Wildlife Benefit
Birds
Maintenance
Drought tolerant within its range. It grows only under hardwoods. Does not grow under pine trees. Do not mow, it will kill the plant. This plant forms colonies and does not like competition. Propagation: Root division, Seed.
Comments
Blooms March-May. Has two fan-like leaves that come up from a central stalk. The single white, apple-like flower appears beneath the leaves. Unripe fruit, leaves and roots are highly toxic and should never be eaten. The large fruit is similar to a lemon shaped berry and can be eaten in limited quantities, raw or in jams and jellies. Pollination: Native bees.
References
1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 105. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=POPE. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Podophyllum+peltatum&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=4905&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=18850#null