May apple

or Mayapple

noun

1. an American plant, Podophyllum peltatum, of the barberry family, bearing an edible, yellowish, egg-shaped fruit.
2. the fruit itself.

May apple

noun

1. an American berberidaceous plant, Podophyllum peltatum, with edible yellowish egg-shaped fruit
2. the fruit of this plant

Word History and Origins

Origin of May apple¹

An Americanism dating back to 1725–35

Example Sentences

From the tincture of the root (rhizomes) of may-apple (Podophyllum peltatum).

From Project Gutenberg

Of the May-apple, I did not raise one green tent without finding a flower beneath.

From Project Gutenberg

While the fruit of the May-apple is edible, the leaves and root are poisonous, not to the touch but to the taste.

From Project Gutenberg

The shadows of the May-apple stalks were getting longer and longer.

From Project Gutenberg

The broad leaves and waxen flowers of the May-apple carpeted unexpected clearings.

From Project Gutenberg