Podophyllum peltatum

Podophyllum peltatum is toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The reported severity is critical. Also known as Mayapple.

dogs cats horses

Mild Moderate Severe Critical

If your animal ate this plant, call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661. Fees may apply.

Symptoms to watch for

Vomiting Diarrhea Lethargy Panting Coma Skin Ulcers Dermatitis Abdominal Pain Drooling Liver Failure Bone Marrow Suppression

The color of each symptom follows the severity scale above.

About

Podophyllum peltatum is a North American herbaceous perennial plant in the family Berberidaceae. Its common names are mayapple, American mandrake, wild mandrake, and ground lemon.

How this plant poisons

All the parts of the plant are poisonous, including the unripe green fruit and perhaps the ripe fruit eaten in excess. The rhizome, foliage, and roots are all poisonous. Mayapple contains podophyllotoxin or podophyllin, which is highly toxic if consumed.

Common Names

  • Mayapple

Also recorded as American Mandrake, Indian-apple, May apple, pomme de mai and wild mandrake.

Facts

Family
Berberidaceae
Duration
Perennial
Growth habit
Forb/herb
Native to
Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec
In the wild
US, CA, NO, FR, BE, DE + more
Source
Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Elsewhere

Countries with the most wild observations, from GBIF data.