I'm back with better views of the mystery plant.
It's not MayApple.

The shape of the leaves remind me of Helleborus... Helleborus purpurascens?
https://www.google.be/search?q...

Bonitin. I will take that as an answer. Now that its fully open it looks that way to me too.

Helleborus purpurascens is native to Europe, so it wouldn't likely be that one in NY presumably.

I too thought Helleborus, it is similar to Helleborus purpurascens but I don't think Myriam was saying it is a certainty? There's several species and many hybrids.

http://www.phytoimages.siu.edu...

Helleborus bocconei is very similar..

http://www.imagejuicy.com/imag...

http://luirig.altervista.org/f...

I'm afraid with Hellebores, unless the plant has been bought correctly named from a reliable source then it's always going to be guess work.

Did you buy a Hellebore? Seeds can be transported by wind or animals, and people grow all sorts of non-native plants.

The last thread ..

The thread "Helleborus for ID" in Plant ID forum

What was throwing me off, and admittedly it's a long time since I've grown hellebores, is that the leaves of this plant are lobed.

You guys are amazing. I'll take hellebore as I have many in that area.
It must be a seed. Its sprouted from between the old bark and wood of a stump.
I know I didnt plant it.
Thanks everyone.