Alulhùkwèsàk (Mayapple)

April showers have brought us Mayapple, or Alulhùkwèsàk (Lenape), flowers!

The only edible part of Alulhùkwèsàk is its ripe yellow fruit, which Eastern woodland tribes have enjoyed fresh and dried. 

Unripe fruit and the rest of the plant – rhizomes, leaves, seeds, and stem – are all *extremely* poisonous. ☠️ It’s so toxic, the Meskwaki and Cherokee used Mayapple as a pesticide to kill potato bugs and crows. 

While the fruits are toxic to some wildlife, Box Turtles and Alulhùkwèsàk have a symbiotic relationship. Box turtles are believed to be the primary consumer of Alulhùkwèsàk fruits, and seeds that have passed through their system are more likely to germinate than seeds left on the ground.

Medicinally, the Cherokee used Mayapple to treat coughing, stomach pains, rheumatism, and as a laxative. And, just one drop of juice from the plant’s root was said to cure deafness. 

In Cherokee, Mayapple translates to Uniskwetú‛gĭ Tsundí-ga ‘they wear a hat, or they have their heads covered, small.’ When you look at the plant’s form, you can see why.

Alulhùkwèsàk’s beautiful form and flowers will flourish in NRFF’s gardens. We hope you’ll join us in bringing that space to life. 

*Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult a doctor before using this plant for a medical purpose.*

Sources: Highlands Biological Station, Cornell Botanic Gardens, Lenape Talking Dictionary, A Handbook of Native American Herbs by Alma R. Hutchens, Virginia Native Plant Society, Prairie Nursery, Piedmont Master Gardeners, KUAR