The generic name Podophyllum is a shortened version of Anapodophyllum, meaning 'leaves shaped like a duck's foot', the individual segments having a vague resemblance to a webbed foot. They are a shade-loving genus with spectacular leaves giving a lasting interest through the season and make good partners for hostas and tiarellas.
The flowers and fruits are used by wildlife, visited by bees and eaten by squirrels respectively, but the overgrowing leaves make these resources hard to find.