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How to Grow
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Characteristics
Bloom Time
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Plant Type
Bulbs, Perennials, Herb/Forb, Herb, Herbaceous Perennial, Native Plant, Perennial, Poisonous, Wildflower
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Height
1-3 ft.
Flower
Jack-in-the-pulpit has club-like spadix with tiny flowers at the base, with green or purple hood, often marked with whitish stripes (though it could have purple or brown stripes on a green hood). Blooms from March to April., More specifically, the flower structure consists of the spadix (Jack) which is an erect spike containing numerous, tiny, green to purple flowers and the sheath-like spathe (pulpit) which encases the lower part of the spadix and then opens to form a hood extending over the top of the spadix. The outside of the spathe is usually green or purple, and the inside is usually striped purple and greenish white, though considerable color variations exist.
Fruit
Bright red, berry-like fruit. Displays from June to October., Red
Benefits
Attracts
Birds
Warning
Containing needle-like calcium oxalate crystals and perhaps other acrid substances, the berries, foliage, and roots of this plant will cause painful irritation of the mouth and throat if ingested. The roots can cause blisters on skin if touched. Because of needle-like calcium oxalate crystals in the underground tuber, it is peppery to the taste and causes a strong burning reaction if eaten raw. This unpleasant property can be eliminated by cooking. American First Nations gathered the fleshy taproots (corms) as a vegetable. (Niering)
More Info
Taxonomy
Order
Alismatales
Family
Araceae
Genus
Arisaema
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