Mayapple has a solitary white flower that hangs down under the two umbrella-like leaves. The stem of flowering plants is forked and topped with the two leaves. Non-flowering plants have a single leaf at the top of the stem.  The leaves are large, glossy and  deeply lobed.   

Mayapples spread by stout rhizomes and often form large colonial patches in woodland openings.  Large lemon-like berry fruit turns yellow when fully ripe in the early fall and can be made into jelly.  Fruit can also be eaten raw in moderation, but (reportedly) does not have a great taste.  All parts of the plant are poisonous except the ripened fruit. 

The plant can also reproduce sexually although most of the reproduction occurs through rhizomes.  Bumblebees and other long-tongued bees are the main pollinators.  Many forest creatures such as racoons and box turtles enojy the fruit in early fall.  Box turtles are believed to be the main distributors of mayapple seeds.