Jack-in-the-Pulpit

(Arisaema triphyllum)

 

Color Photographs: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

Identification: "Flower" consisting of a leaf curled into a tubular cone topped with an overhanging "hood" (spathe). Spathe green, commonly striped with brown or purplish-brown. True flowers minute and clustered at the bottom of a projection within the spathe (spadix). Spadix contained entirely within the spathe. Fruits a globular cluster, first green, later turning bright red. Plant with a single leaf divided into 3 leaflets. Plant 1 to 3 feet in height.

Distribution: Tthroughout eastern North America.

Habitat: Jack-in-the-Pulpit is a common plant in woodlands of all types and also occurs in swamps and other wet habitats.

Flowering period: April to June.

Similar Species: Jack-in-the-Pulpit is not likely to be confused with any other plant species. The related Green Dragon has a spadix with an extremely elongate apex greatly exceeding the spathe. The leaf of Green Dragon in divided into many leaflets, not just the 3 of Jack-in-the-Pulpit.

Comments: Jack-in-the-pulpit is geographically and locally variable. Much of this variation has been graced with a variety of names in the past. The fruits of Jack-in-the-Pulpit are poisonous.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

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