Hepatieas bloom from March to May in open woods 
from N. S. to Manitoba and southwards. 
Mandrake; May Apple (Podophyllum peltatum ) be¬ 
longs to the Barberry Family {Berberidacece), a small 
family of shrubs or herbs, divided into five genera of 
but one or two species each. The present species is 
quite common in rich woods, or in shady, moist ground, 
from western N. E. to Minn, and southwards, flowering 
in May. The bare stalk rises to heights of 10 to 12 
inches, then branches into two long-stemmed, light green, 
large, spreading leaves; the latter are five to nine- 
parted, lobed, notched, and unevenly balanced. From 
the forked joint of the leaves, hangs a solitary white 
flower on a short, slender, curving peduncle, this is very 
delicate, nearly two inches across, and of six petals and 
twice as many stamens. 
The fruit is large and lemon-shaped, yellow in color, 
ripening in July. It is the fruit that gives it the name 
of May Apple. While the leaves and stem are poison¬ 
ous, the fruit is not, but has a peculiar, acid, sickish 
flavor. 
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