Podophyllum peltatum, commonly called May apple, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the family Berberidaceae, native to eastern North America extending westward to Minnesota and Texas. A spring ephemerals, the plant emerges in the spring and slowly begins to die off during mid to late summer. The plant grows 1.5 to 2 feet tall, with 2, occasionally 3 palmately lobed leaves 8-11 inches in diameter. The plant also produces a single white flower, with six (rarely up to nine) petals from each erect stem at the axil of the two leaves. The flowers mature into a greenish-yellow fruit 1 to 2 inches long. May apple prefers moist, fertile soils such as those of woodlands and pastures and appears in clonal colonies. Individual shoots are often connected by systems of thick rhizomes.

This plant should be considered toxic for pets as all parts of the plant contain podophyllin, a bitter, cytostatic resinous compound. Podophyllin has a number of effect on the body. It is both a potent irritant of living tissue and a strong laxative. It also interferes with normal cell division inhibiting cell growth and multiplication. The most common symptoms of ingestion are colic and diarrhea. More often than not, there will also be indications of the toxins irritant properties such as excessive salivation, swelling/blistering of the muzzle, and swelling of the mouth and throat. Additionally the eyes and eyelids may become irritated and swell shut as the resinous toxin is transferred from the mouth to the face; such as would be the case when an animal paws at the mouth and face in response to the plants irritant properties.

Serious or potentially life threatening intoxication as a result of may apple ingestion is rare. The plant is bitter in taste and acts as an immediate irritant when it comes in contact with skin; both of which tend to dissuade overconsumption. As a result livestock will typically avoid ingestion the plant unless deprived of their normal forages, thus forcing them to eat it. In most cases the symptoms will be limited to dermatological issues and gastrointestinal upset. In the vast majority of cases pets and livestock will make a full recovery once they are prevented from eating the plant.