(syn: Podophyllum veitchii, Dysosma veitchii, Dysosma delavayi) When this mayapple emerges in spring you’ll be sprinting to find your camera. The large tropical-looking 10″ leaves of Podophyllum delavayi emerge a burnished cranberry-red with dark purple spots. As the leaf ages, the red pigment gives way to the green of chlorophyll, still highlighted by the purple spots. In late spring, the clumps are adorned with sweet betsy-like liver-colored flowers. Podophyllum delavayi is truly the star of the Chinese mayapple clan, albeit slow to establish into a full-size clump. We recommend moist rich soils and a lack of extended summer heat for best results.
