Podophyllum hexandrum (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Dappled to full shade
Flowering period: Late spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 45cm
Eventual Spread: 30
Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Family: Berberidaceae
Podophyllum hexandrum is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its mid green glossy leaves are palmate, deeply lobed (up to 5) with serrate margins, up to 25cm long and 25cm broad. Its white to pale pink flowers are cup shaped, up to 5cm across and appear terminally. Its red/ orange fruit is an ovoid berry and up to 5cm long. Its roots are rhizomes which aids its slow spread
Podophyllum hexandrum Flower (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Podophyllum hexandrum, commonly known as Himalayan Mayapple or Indian May apple, is native to the lower elevations of the Himalayas. In its native habitat it grows in scrub forests and alpine meadows. Podophyllum hexandrum is synonymous with Podophyllum emodi. The leaves and roots of this plant are poisonous.
The etymological root of the binomial name Podophyllum is derived from the Greek podos meaning ‘stalk’ and
The landscape architect may find Podophyllum hexandrum useful as an ornamental woodland groundcover plant.
Podophyllum hexandrum Leaf (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Podophyllum hexandrum is attractive to pollinating insects. Its berries are attractive to some birds and mammals.
Podophyllum hexandrum prefers moist, fertile, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate dry soils
Podophyllum hexandrum requires little maintenance.