Podophyllum delavayi, the Chinese mayapple, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the family Berberidaceae native to South-Central China.[1] It is highly sought after by plant collectors and avid shade gardeners. It is distinguished by its lobed, peltate foliage that is remarkably mottled when it first emerges in early spring. Deep red flowers appear in May (hence the name mayapple) and are somewhat foul-scented to attract its pollinators.

Podophyllum delavayi
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Berberidaceae
Genus: Podophyllum
Species:
P. delavayi
Binomial name
Podophyllum delavayi
Synonyms[1]
  • Dysosma delavayi (Franch.) Hu
  • Dysosma veitchii (Hemsl. & E.H.Wilson) L.K.Fu
  • Podophyllum veitchii Hemsl. & E.H.Wilson

Chinese mayapples are found in moist woodland conditions often by a stream where water is constant, but drainage is optimal.

Podophyllum delavayi has also shown a tendency to produce stolons, which aids propagation of this rare plant. Traditionally, this species is propagated by division, seed, and it has also been successfully micropropagated through tissue culture.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "Podophyllum delavayi Franch.", Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2022-10-01