There is something I find particularly captivating about Mayapple. Perhaps it is the shiny texturing of the drooping leaves or maybe the numerous childhood memories of expansive Mayapple patches that I once encountered in the woods surrounding my childhood home.
One thing I never knew before, and thanks to my dear sister telling me, the fruit of the Mayapple is a favorite food of the box turtle. In fact, I never knew the box turtle was so important to Mayapple reproduction.
Another noteworthy fact about Mayapple is that contemporary medicine has greatly benefited from the toxic structure of these plants. Mayapple has made a substantial contribution to both current and potential future treatments of various types of cancer.
But I digress, I’m fascinated by these toxic little plants and will take a photograph anytime the opportunity arises.
