Syneilesis palmata looks so much like a mayapple (barberry family) that it’s almost impossible to fathom it is actually a ligularia cousin (aster family). Syneilesis palmata is similar to Syneilesis aconitifolia but more deeply cut, with fewer leaf segments. Syneilesis palmata emerges with silky green leaves that open like a miniature umbrella to 6″ wide, each sitting atop a 15″ tall stem. The clumps enlarge thanks to a slowly spreading rhizome. For difficult woodland conditions, it doesn’t get much better than syneilesis.
