BERBERIDACEAE 



BARBERRY FAMILY 



MAY APPLE. MANDRAKE 



Podophyllum peltatum L. 



The Barberry family is chiefly important for the 

 common Barberry Bush which harbors the fungus that 

 causes black stem rust of Wheat, and for the eradication 

 of which the United 

 States spends large 

 sums each year. 



The May Apple is 

 a common perennial in 

 rich woods throughout 

 Illinois and over most 

 of the eastern half of 

 the United States. Its 

 stout stem creeps un- 

 derground not far be- 

 low the surface, and 

 from it branch thick 

 fibrous roots. The 

 peltate leaves are often 

 I foot in diameter. 



Each flower is borne 

 on a short slender stem, 

 sometimes from the 

 petiole of a single leat 

 but usually, as shown, 



from the crotch of a branching petiole that bears a pair of leaves. 

 There are 6 pale green sepals which soon fall off, 6 or 9 white 

 petals, twice as many stamens as petals and i fat pistil. Forms 

 with pink flowers are occasionally found. 



The edible fruit, though commonly called an apple, is really 

 a berry. Ripe in July, it is sweet and slightly acid, 1-2 inches 

 long but possibly reaching the size of a small Lemon, though 

 darker yellow, more fleshy, much less juicy and containing many 

 seeds. Wild Lemon and Hog Apple are other names from these 

 characteristics. Roots, stems and leaves contain a poisonous 

 substance called podophyllin, much used in medicine. 



O. tho hank where wild flowers blossom, ferns nod and mosses creep 

 In a tangled maze of l)eauty over all the wooded steep! 



Homesick — .JiM.x C. R. Donn 



115 



