Toxic Beauty: Mayapple Hike at Forney Creek Trail

Join us for a hike into the Catawba Lands Conservancy’s Forney Creek Conservation Area to see colonies of the spring ephemeral plant known as the mayapple. All parts of this native plant are toxic (except for the fully ripened fruit), yet it rewards our curiosity with a lovely white flower, resembling an apple blossom, hidden beneath distinctive umbrella-like leaves. The plant is visible above ground for only a few months in spring, with the bloom period lasting only 2-3 weeks.

Our hike will include a 0.5-mile out-and-back trip for the mayapple sighting, followed by a 3-mile out-and-back trip in the other direction to a wetland observation deck, for a total of about 3.5 miles. The level of difficulty is rated “easy” with minor change in elevation along the natural-surface trail.

Because we will need to exercise care to avoid contracting a rash from the mayapple plants, please do not bring your pets and closely monitor any children who accompany you.