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Jack in the pulpit
Scientific Name: Arisaema triphyllum ssp. triphyllum
Family: Araceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Arisaema triphyllum: Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum, commonly known as Jack-in-the-pulpit, is a fascinating wildflower native to eastern and midwestern North America, but can be grown in shade gardens elsewhere.
Common Names
- Jack-in-the-pulpit
- Bog onion
- Brown dragon
- Indian turnip
- American wake robin
- Wild turnip
- Dragonroot
- Devil's dear
- Wake robin
- Starch wort
- Wild turnip
- Dragon root
- Pepper turnip
- Three-leaved indian turnip
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Arisaema triphyllum (L.) Schott
- Family: Araceae (Arum family)
- Synonyms: A. atrorubens, Arum triphyllum
Considerations for Pets
- All parts of the Jack-in-the-pulpit plant can cause poisoning if eaten.
Considerations for Children
- Jack-in-the-pulpit produces bright red berries in late summer.
- It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals called raphites.
- The roots are poisonous if eaten.
Description
- Jack-in-the-pulpit is a stemless herbaceous perennial plant, typically growing 1-2 feet tall (approximately 30-90 cm).
- It has one or two long-stalked leaves, each divided into three leaflets. Arisaema triphyllum has leaves with three leaflets, distinguishing it from its congener green-dragon (Arisaema dracontium), which has 5-13 leaflets.
- The "pulpit" is a spathe (a hood), often striped purple and green, sheltering the "Jack," which is a flower-bearing spadix (an erect spike). The spathe is green with white and brown lengthwise markings.
- In late summer, a cluster of bright red berries appears. The berries have a very soft and fragile skin. Inside each berry is a seed.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to eastern and midwestern North America.
- Found in rich, moist deciduous woods, in the moist understory of woodland habitats.
Quirky Facts
- The plant has the ability to change sex.
- Its singular appearance of the mace-like cluster of red berries at the top of an otherwise bare stem has inspired a plethora of folk names.
Ecological Role
- The plant's fruit ripens in late summer into a cluster of brilliant red berries.