# May Apples **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 2, 2006, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-apples/367013 "2006-08-02T12:50:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-apples/367013/1 "2006-08-02T12:50:24Z")
After doing the thread on Booby Traps, I decided to look up May Apples. This is one thing that – unlike “Poison Parsnips” – I _do_ rememmber from my Boy Scout days. May apples grew in great numbers at my Scout camp. The fruits weren’t as small as on the pictures on the internet, they were freakin’ _Huge_!: [http://www2.foodtv.com/terms/tt-r2/0,4474,3979,00.html](http://www2.foodtv.com/terms/tt-r2/0,4474,3979,00.html) [http://www.briartech.com/earlyspring/mayapple/may.htm](http://www.briartech.com/earlyspring/mayapple/may.htm) [http://www.motherearthnews.com/top\_articles/1977\_July\_August/Behold\_the\_Mighty\_May\_Apple](http://www.motherearthnews.com/top_articles/1977_July_August/Behold_the_Mighty_May_Apple) The thing is, the fruit is only edible at certain times. Unripe fruit (like the roots, leaves and stems at all times) is not merely poisonous, but _highly toxic_. And nobody seemed to know exactly when they were ripe, so we left them alone (although eating other edible plants in the vicinity). Even when ripe, there’s apparently still a risk, at leasty to some peopler. Yet others use this plant to make preserves! [http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Podoppe.htm](http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Podoppe.htm) We apparently have here “American Vegetable Fugu” – a food that will, if improperly prepared or not completely separated from the rest of the item, kill you. Is it really worth the risk? Anybody ever eat these? ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-apples/367013/2 "2006-08-02T13:14:04Z")
I grew up n N.E. Ohio and used to run the woods frequently. We ate may apples, they were a bit bigger than a ping pong ball and yellowish when ripe. They grew on a small plant w/ large leaves. I never knew they were supposed to be poisonous, don’t recall ever having any problems. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-apples/367013/3 "2006-08-02T13:56:50Z")
There was some research about using them to kill off skin cancers, but I never heard the results. Thepreliminary data was that the at least help shrink the cancers. I believe May Apples were less toxic when the leaves yellowed, that being when the plant withdrew the poison back into the roots for next year. They become less toxic at that point from what I read. They however still cause problems when eaten in more than small amounts. I would never trust the sources I read enough to eat one. I would only try it if a reputable source did a study on it, and they ate it first. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-apples/367013/4 "2006-08-02T14:04:28Z")
Some foods are worthless or dangerous unless prepared in a certain way. I don’t know what the poison in May Apples is, but it may be diminished by cooking. I think that it may be an oxilic acid, which I believe is unaffected by heat. ---
**Author:** ![theunfounddoor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@theunfounddoor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theunfounddoor)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-apples/367013/5 "2006-08-02T14:32:39Z")
I’ve always loved those plants. I never knew you could eat the fruit, but I always loved taking frequent walks in springs to watch the leaves unfurl and spread out. I might have to try a May Apple this year (a small amount). According to the cites above they should be edible in a month or two. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-apples/367013/6 "2006-08-02T14:41:18Z")
> [@](#): > > I might have to try a May Apple this year (a small amount). According to the cites above they should be edible in a month or two. Just be careful and read the cites I’ve printed. I’d hate to be responsible, even in an indirect way, for contributing to the degradation of the well-being of a fellow Doper. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-apples/367013/7 "2006-08-02T17:12:09Z")
A small amount at the wrong time can be deadly. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-apples/367013/8 "2006-08-02T17:18:06Z")
I have them all over the place and never thought of eatting them. I don’t believe the leaves of mine are mottled, though. They come up with the [trillium](http://www.goldsword.com/sfarmer/Trillium/) in the Spring. I have a list of Dopers and non-Dopers I’d be happy to send some to. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-apples/367013/9 "2006-08-02T17:18:29Z")
Please note: > [@](#): > > may apple fruit hangs under the leaves. Can only eat the fruit when it is yellow > > May apple. Green on plant is poisonous. When fallen and yellow is delicious. [http://foragingpictures.com/plants/May-apple/](http://foragingpictures.com/plants/May-apple/) I’m assuming the guy shown eating the plant isn’t dead. Please be careful if you decide to sample these. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-apples/367013/10 "2006-08-02T17:20:21Z")
And this: > [@](#): > > Edibility > EDIBLE PARTS: Ripe (yellow and soft) fruit is edible raw, but in limited quantity. CAUTION: The roots and leaves are poisonous. Do NOT eat. HARVEST TIME: Collect in August or September. Only collect fruit from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURE: Wash fruit thoroughly with warm water. Do not use dish detergent or any type of sanitizer. These products can leave a residue. The fruit has a lemon-like flavor and can be used to make jams, jellies and marmalade. SOURCE: Crowhurst, A. 1972. The Weed Cookbook. Lancer Books, Inc. New York, 190 pp. > Toxic Principle > Podophyllin > Severity > HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! Talk about your mixed messages! So be careful out there. [http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Podoppe.htm](http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Podoppe.htm) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-apples/367013/11 "2006-08-02T17:30:44Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > [Edible: May-apple [Podophyllum peltatum]](http://foragingpictures.com/plants/May-apple/) Mine look like that. Get your orders in now! (Please pay before shipping.) ---
**Author:** ![theunfounddoor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@theunfounddoor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theunfounddoor)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-apples/367013/12 "2006-08-02T17:55:49Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Just be careful and read the cites I’ve printed. I’d hate to be responsible, even in an indirect way, for contributing to the degradation of the well-being of a fellow Doper. Don’t worry, before I posted I looked at all the cites you listed. I wouldn’t eat it unless I was sure it was ripe. Thanks for the concern. I’ll worn family members before-hand though just in case. They will track you down and make you pay if I die! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2006, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-apples/367013/13 "2006-08-06T06:44:58Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Please note: > > [Edible: May-apple [Podophyllum peltatum]](http://foragingpictures.com/plants/May-apple/) > I’m assuming the guy shown eating the plant isn’t dead. Please be careful if you decide to sample these. I couldn’t get the earlier links to open on this old computer, but CalMeacham’s site worked. Those look the same as the ones we used to eat as kids. I don’t recall the lemon flavor, as I remember the skin was fairly thick, w/ seeds inside similar to a bell pepper (only much smaller). They were mildly sweet, but a bit bland. Being kids, I’m sure we bit into green ones and spit them out if they weren’t ripe yet. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2006, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-apples/367013/14 "2006-08-06T07:13:57Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Please note: > > [Edible: May-apple [Podophyllum peltatum]](http://foragingpictures.com/plants/May-apple/) > I’m assuming the guy shown eating the plant isn’t dead. Please be careful if you decide to sample these. I couldn’t get the earlier links to open on this old computer, but CalMeacham’s site worked. Those look the same as the ones we used to eat as kids. I don’t recall the lemon flavor, as I remember the skin was fairly thick, w/ seeds inside similar to a bell pepper (only much smaller). They were mildly sweet, but a bit bland. Being kids, I’m sure we bit into green ones and spit them out if they weren’t ripe yet.