| Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllm)
Flower 2-4 in., plant 10 in.-3 ft., Arum family
An early bloomer, Jack appears in his pulpit in April and May, but
you might miss him if you're looking for bright colors. The flower is a big
trumpet ("spathe") with a long hood curling over the top. Sometimes it is
all green, but often it is striped green and purple. Inside is a "spadix," a
club with tiny florets near its base. This club is the part that looks like
a preacher in an old-fashioned pulpit with a canopy over it.
From the base of this strange-looking plant, one or two 3-parted, large
leaves grow. The canopy serves as an umbrella to keep the tiny flowers
inside from drowning. As the flowers ripen, the trumpet withers, leaving a
cluster of pea-sized green berries. By September, the berries turn bright
scarlet, pretty but not edible -- unless you're a wild turkey!
Another name for this plant is "Indian turnip," but this "turnip" is
fiery hot. (Arum is Arabic for "fire.") If it touches the back of the
mouth, it can cause the throat to swell and suffocate the unfortunate
taster. native Americans didn't eat it much. They ground the root to use in
medicine for asthma, sore eyes and rheumatism.
Jacks like wet feet and light shade. The edge of a boggy wetland or a
damp spot along the edge of a wood suit them fine. |
