American Mandrake
Podophyllum peltatum · Berberidaceae
How it looks
American Mandrake (Podophyllum) is a perennial with one or two large umbrella-shaped leaves at the top of the stem. A single white cup-shaped flower hides beneath the leaves. It grows 12-20 in (30-50 cm) tall on the floor of damp woodlands.
Dangerous — GI and systemic toxicity
All parts of American Mandrake, especially the roots and unripe fruit, contain high levels of podophyllotoxin. Ingestion can quickly cause severe vomiting and diarrhea along with liver damage, so immediate veterinary care is needed.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
Guide for parents
American mandrake (mayapple) is a perennial that grows in the shade of woods and gardens, and the whole plant — especially the root and unripe fruit — is loaded with podophyllotoxin. The line that "a little chewing is fine" does not hold for this plant.
Which part is dangerous
The root (rhizome) and the unripe green fruit carry the most toxin. The leaves and stems also contain podophyllotoxin and are dangerous to chew. Only the fully ripe fruit is considered relatively low in toxicity, but there is no reason to deliberately let a cat eat any of it.
How symptoms progress
Podophyllotoxin is a potent toxin that interferes with cell division, and it starts with severe vomiting and diarrhea after ingestion. As it advances, dehydration and liver damage can follow, and with larger amounts a cat's overall condition can deteriorate quickly. This is not a toxin to dismiss as simple stomach irritation.
What to do right now
If there is any chance your cat chewed or swallowed it, call your vet for guidance regardless of how the signs look. If vomiting or diarrhea has already started, go in without delay. Do not induce vomiting at home; figure out which part was eaten and how much, and pass that on.
Details
- Scientific name
- Podophyllum peltatum
- Common name
- American Mandrake
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Toxic parts
- All parts (especially the roots, Unripe fruit)
- Compounds
- Podophyllotoxin
- Source
- ASPCA
Related plants
Same plant family· Berberidaceae
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