Podophyllum hexandra (Himalayan May Apple) 9 cm Pot

Growth habit & appearance: Podophyllum hexandra, the Himalayan May Apple, forms low woodland clumps from creeping rhizomes, reaching around 50 cm in height. Each stout stem unfurls one to two large, umbrella-like leaves, often pleated and handsomely lobed, creating an exotic, architectural effect at ground level. In late spring, waxy white, bell-shaped flowers are carried just beneath the foliage canopy, followed by fleshy greenish fruits that ripen to soft yellow. It is a plant that draws the eye in shaded corners and gives a distinctly “botanic garden” feel to an Irish herbaceous or woodland bed.

Growing conditions: In Ireland this hardy perennial is best grown in part shade, in a sheltered spot with moisture-retentive but well-drained, humus-rich soil. It suits woodland gardens, north-facing beds and the dappled shade beneath deciduous shrubs, where it appreciates cool roots and protection from harsh afternoon sun or drying winds. Shoots emerge early in the year, so in colder areas it benefits from a mulch that buffers late frosts without allowing the crown to sit in waterlogged soil. All our Himalayan May Apple plants are raised from divisions or seed in our nursery in Co. Clare and are well adapted to Irish growing conditions.

Traditional & herbal uses: The rhizome and root of Podophyllum species contain high levels of the lignan podophyllotoxin, historically used as an intense purgative and vermifuge in Western herbal practice, but now recognised as highly toxic with a very narrow safety margin. In modern medicine, purified podophyllotoxin and its semi-synthetic derivatives have been investigated and used as precursors for certain anti-cancer agents and as topical preparations for treating specific types of warts under strict professional supervision. Because systemic poisoning can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, liver and kidney injury and neurological effects, this plant is grown here as a toxic medicinal species of pharmacological interest only, not for home preparation or self-medication.

Maintenance & harvesting: Himalayan May Apple is slow to establish but long lived once settled. Keep the soil consistently moist with an annual mulch of leaf mould or garden compost, taking care not to bury the emerging shoots. Avoid frequent digging around the clump, as the rhizomes sit shallowly and resent disturbance; division is only undertaken occasionally on older plants to maintain vigour. The bold leaves create cool, shaded pockets that favour ground invertebrates, and the flowers are visited by bees and other pollinating insects in sheltered Irish gardens. Never allow children or pets to chew the leaves, stems, roots or fruits, as all parts of the plant are poisonous.