Podophyllum hexandrum

Description

The equivalent of the North American mayapple, the Himalayan mayapple differs mainly by having mostly white flowers (pink also possible) which are held above the foliage and red fruits (instead of yellow).
Otherwise, it makes the same wonderful addition for a woodland garden or shaded spot, being in fact more drought resistant than our native mayapple and also having a better behaviour – it remains in a clump (out native mayapple is a spreader).

The Himalayan mayapple has been used since ancient times for its medicinal properties. Unfortunately, the over-harvesting in the wild has intensified recently because the podophyllotoxin use in the synthesis of anti-cancer drugs and it is listed as an endangered species throughout its native range.

Germination: sow in the fall/winter to provide cold-moist stratification. Later received seeds can be easily germinated with GA3 treatment; sometimes they will form the true leaf in the first year, if not in the second one; after a first slow stage the seedlings are fairly fast growing.