May Apple or American Mandrakes

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May Apple or American Mandrakes
« on: May 15, 2009, 09:21:24 AM » by wlwest

Ok, we have these really weird plants. They are about 4 inches maybe high, they grow in our woods, and they look like little umbrellas! Well, we just noticed that there are these beautiful flowers growing under the umbrella, white ones, with a yellowish center, I think.

I would take a picture, but I still can't figure out how to post them on here! Roll Eyes

wendy

« Last Edit: May 18, 2009, 10:08:57 AM by wlwest »
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Woodland flowering plant like an umbrella, 4" tall
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2009, 09:45:15 AM » by SarahK

Quote from: wlwest on May 15, 2009, 09:21:24 AM

wendy

A May Apple or some variation maybe?
http://www.altnature.com/gallery/mandrake.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Mayapple

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Re: Woodland flowering plant like an umbrella, 4" tall
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2009, 01:44:12 PM » by wlwest

Hey, that first link is exactly it!! The site says only the fruit is edible? But everything else is toxic. Shocked

I'm always nervous about plants like that, so I don't know if I would try to use it for anything. But I never noticed the flowers or fruit on those things before this year. We have them all over the place.

wendy

« Last Edit: May 17, 2009, 01:47:49 PM by wlwest »
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Re: Woodland flowering plant like an umbrella, 4" tall
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2009, 09:29:48 AM » by healthyinOhio

We eat the pulp from May apples. Just move the seeds aside. Or harvest many of them to make jam!
http://www.bigoven.com/110380-Mayapple-Jelly-recipe.html
http://www.lakestclair.net/forums/index.php?s=a780495e233dc7e3a12de682aa20ddd9&showtopic=66638&pid=856232&st=0&#entry856232

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Re: Woodland flowering plant like an umbrella, 4" tall
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2009, 09:48:59 AM » by Whiterock

Wendy,
Could you change the title of the thread something like "May Apple, American Mandrake"? That way people can find it easier when looking for it later.

WR

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Re: May Apple or American Mandrakes
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2009, 10:13:08 AM » by wlwest

Maybe I'll be brave and try these. I know dh would, he is braver than me.

Are they good??

wendy

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Re: Woodland flowering plant like an umbrella, 4" tall
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2009, 12:01:26 PM » by mhoward1999

Quote from: healthyinOhio on May 18, 2009, 09:29:48 AM

Have you tried this?

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Re: May Apple or American Mandrakes
« Reply #7 on: May 19, 2009, 05:37:35 PM » by healthyinOhio

No, I haven't. Just started learning how to can this year! Wink

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Re: May Apple (American Mandrake)
« Reply #8 on: May 19, 2009, 06:23:58 PM » by SarahK

Quote from: wlwest on May 17, 2009, 01:44:12 PM

Hey, that first link is exactly it!! The site says only the fruit is edible? But everything else is toxic. Shocked

My brother is a weed-eater and he says that the fruit is edible (I think he eats the raw or cooked like regular apples with butter & honey/sugar/maple.) BUT to be sure that it is ripe. The unripe fruit is supposed to be as bad as the rest of the plant. He also says that ripe is pretty easy to identify so you don't have to be really worried - just aware.

They are very common around here in SE MN and come up year after year in ever widening patches in shady, wooded areas.

Sarah K

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I have learned enough to know I still have lots to learn. Teach me.
My WTM Intro updated 5/2009

Re: May Apple or American Mandrakes
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2009, 10:16:25 AM » by mhoward1999

Quote from: healthyinOhio on May 19, 2009, 05:37:35 PM

No, I haven't. Just started learning how to can this year! Wink

Bummer. I want to try it, but I want to be sure it's gonna be good! I've seen tons and tons of them when they aren't ripe, but then I think the critters beat me to them, because I've never found them ripe! LOL!

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Re: May Apple or American Mandrakes
« Reply #10 on: July 13, 2009, 06:52:14 AM » by bestist

The roots are wonderful laxatives and liver stimulants but are very strong and are hydragogue cathartics. This means that you will have severe, loose, watery diarrhea, cramping etc.... The nodes where the new plants come up is the most toxic part. I use it on occasion and value it a lot but you do need a bit of experience when using it. It is still an official drug in the US pharmacopoeia.

See you in the woods!
Darryl
http://www.thesouthernherbalist.com

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Re: May Apple or American Mandrakes
« Reply #11 on: July 13, 2009, 01:19:41 PM » by BJ_BOBBI_JO

I assume the wildlife likes to eat the mayapples because I rarely find the fruit. My cousin says that underneath mayapples is a good place to find moral mushrooms and I find it to be true during mushroom season.