Spring Foraging: Mayapples

Now is the time of the mayapples.  Podophyllum peltatum.  This is an interesting plant.  I was just told the berries were edible, but after further research, I am a little hesitant on that point.  Green Dean says the fruit is edible in small quantities.  The majority of the plant is poisonous.  It does have some medicinal uses, particularly topically, as a treatment for plantar's warts.

Mayapples grow in clusters, usually from a single root.  The flowers are white, and are found under the foliage.  They start growing in early spring, and flower in April and May.  The fruits are harvested in the summer, depending on where you are located. The leaves remind me of Tree Stars from the first Land Before Time movie. 

Again, every part of the plant, except the fully ripe fruit is poisonous.  Don't eat the seeds. 

Sources:
Green Dean
Wikipedia