Podophyllum peltatum -L.-
mayapple tree


Entry Type: Species

Species Name: Podophyllum peltatum -L.-

Common Name: mayapple tree

Myaamia Name: kahkiteemiši

Description:

Harvest Seasons: Undetermined

Harvest Comments:

Habitats: Undetermined

Uses: Food, Medicinal

Locations: Undetermined

Sources

Rafert, S. 1989

Reference Type: Use - Medicinal

Archival Data:

The root was used as a physic or purgative: "they took the May apple root and pounded it up, and then soaked it out--it was always a liquid form, of course, when they used it." "May apple roots are still being used. There were still people who practiced herbal medicine [in his generation]", although he or no one he knew ever used it. "We knew that the used it, because we sometimes gathered it, and sold the root to people who did used it".

Comments: N/A

Rafert, S. 1989

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Fruits were eaten [in summer].

Comments: N/A

Lamb, E.W. and Shultz, L.W 1964

Reference Type: Use - Medicinal

Archival Data:

Mayapple root was used for stomach disorders.

Comments: N/A

Rafert, S. 1996

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Used as a snack food when in the woods.

Comments: N/A

Rafert, S. 1989

Reference Type: Use - Medicinal

Archival Data:

Lyman Mongosa described preparing a liquid for a woman who was given up by doctors, in the early 1930s. His medicine, he felt, saved her . . . and it may have been prepared from mayapple.

Comments: N/A

Gonella, M.P 2003-2006

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Fruit is edible when ripe, soft and yellow.

Comments: N/A

Gonella, M.P 2003-2006

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Fruits eaten raw or made into preserves.

Comments: N/A

Gleason, H.A. and Cronquist, A. 1991

Reference Type: Habitat

Archival Data :

Occurs in moist woods throughout eastern and western Myaamia lands.

Comments: N/A

Coulter, S. 1932

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

Dried rhizome and roots in small doses 0.3-1.0cc can be used to increase flow of bile, and is a slow but powerful cathartic, emetic, and can be poisonous in too large a dose. In large doses it can cause violent purging with profuse watery stools, hemorrhaging to internal organs and depression of central nervous system.

Comments: N/A

Vogel, V.J. 1970

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

The mayapple root can be used as a purgative as well as many other uses.

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

"mayapple, kit-tak-may-ne"

Comments: N/A

Legends

  • L.: L. stands for Carl Linneaus, a Swedish botanist and zoologist living from 1707 - 1778, who formed the binomial nomenclature system for scientific naming of species (the two part name). His initial after a scientific name indicates he was the authority for that species name.
  • sp.: Indicates the actual species name cannot or need not be specified. Example: Lilium sp. indicates a single species in the genus Lilium that is not known or does not need to be specified.
  • spp.: (plural) indicates "several species", two or more species of the given genus. Example: Lilium spp. indicates 2 or more species in the genus that cannot or do not need to be distinguished.
  • Use - Unknown: A record for this plant exists but does not include explicit information about the plant's cultural use. It is probable the Myaamia used the plant.
  • Botanical Sources: Sources of any botanical data for this plant species that is not related to its cultural use or significance.
  • Related Sources: Data indirectly related to Myaamia ethnobotany, including non-Myaamia uses of the plant in contemporary and historic times.
  • Myaamia Archival Sources: All records of plant use obtained directly from a Myaamia tribal member in an interview, recorded by a second party or by self-recording.
  • Undetermined (Plant Use): There exists use or other information about a certain, unknown plant species, but the specific species has not yet been determined.
  • Medicinal: For the purposes of this database, medicinal uses of plants and medicinal knowledge are defined as: Commonly held communal knowledge regarding the use of plant-based substances that aid in maintaining a healthy mind, body or spirit, including tonics and teas.
  • Technology: For the purposes of this database, technological uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in the making of food processing, canoes, rafts, dyes, tools, utensils, weapons, hunting and fishing gear (i.e. net, weir, etc.), cordage, string, rope, fodder plant species, firewood, any plants used in trade, etc.
  • Material: For the purposes of this database, material uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in construction of dwellings (floor mats, roofing, side walls), furniture, baskets, storage items, musical instruments, games, crafts, jewelry, cordage used in crafts, etc.
  • Food: For the purposes of this database, food uses of plants are defined as: Plants used as consumed food, spices and seasonings, but not teas or tonics.
  • Customs: For the purposes of this database, customary uses of plants are defined as: Plants involved in a customary ceremony, ritual or traditional event, including ritual smoking, chewing tobacco, war rituals, special mats used to sit on during ceremonies. Customary uses of plants, in this database, does not including plants used for recreation (material), structures where ceremonies take place (material) or medicinal smoking (medicinal).
  • Eastern Myaamia Lands: Eastern Myaamia lands (eastern myaamionki) are centered around northern Indiana, and including western Ohio, eastern Illinois, southern Michigan, and the northernmost portions of Kentucky.
  • Western Myaamia Lands: Western Myaamia lands (western myaamionki) include western Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma.