MAY APPLE (UMBRELLA PLANT)

The may apple is a familiar flower that blooms in early April throughout the woods of the Historic Triangle. As it grows in clusters of large green leaves mounted on a sturdy stem, it very much resembles a miniature umbrella. Indeed, legend says that the plants are a haven for leprechauns who shelter under the widespread leaves during rainy weather.

The six-petaled flower, snow white in color, grows at the top of the stem just beneath the leaves. The center of the blossom is adorned with twelve stamens the color of molten gold. The showy flower is nearly two inches broad and, when it disappears, is succeeded by a yellowish lemon-shaped fruit up to two inches long.

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