Looking fo info on May Apples

Trying to find some info on these wild plants. The 'apple' is said to be edible when ripe, but how to tell when they are ripe? Curious about these as I have hundreds of them growing in my woods.

yellow and soft

I think before that it can be toxic

Thanks. I've read that the foliage is toxic, but the fruits are supposed to be okay.

Check again to be sure - i have heard fruit is toxic if no t fully matured. Are you planning preserves?

No real plans for the fruit yet. Just trying to learn more about them right now.

You might start here: http://glge.wordpress.com/2008/08/01/mayapple/
You can google "mayapple recipes", and most books on wild foods give info.

cooking the apples speed ripens em if you are into the jelly, but wait til ripe if eating fruits,

I read the entire plant is poisionous (except ripe apples.) Be careful.

Thanks for all the replies.

Some of the Mayapples and Trout Lilies in my woods.

In his book "Natures Garden--A Guide to identifying, harvesting and preparing Edible Wild Plants" Samuel Thayer states that all parts except the fruit are toxic. The unripe fruit is also considered toxic. "The ripe fruit turns to a light, dull yellow or brownish yellow. It has a delicious tropical scent..." "My favorite thing to do with mayapples is to tear a hole in the skin, suck out the pulp and enjoy its flavor as I spit out the seeds." He shows photographs of ripe and unripe fruit. Overall it is a great book that I have found very educational and recommend!

Thanks for the info. I will check it out.

All parts of the Mayapple are listed as toxic except the ripe fruit. The ripe fruit looks like a small, slightly wrinkled, lemon and is quite delicious, if you can find one that hasn't been eaten by the local wildlife. Unfortunately the fruits are normally devoured by deer before they fully ripen. But they are easy to grow if you have a shady spot. Mayapples burn in too much sun, making the leaves turn red, and stunting the plant.

Only the two leafed plants flower and produce fruit, a single flower is produced, slung low in the V between the two leaves, the single leaf plants are sterile.

Definitely easy to grow when they're happy!

Mayapple colonies have spread in the last few years, as if unharvested in a lot areas, am seeing them in abundance in many states

I saw some new variegated Mayapples for sale. But, not hardy where I am.