Jack-in-the-pulpit, Indian Turnip
Arisaema triphyllum

• Flower: Curving ridged hood (the spathe or "pulpit), green or streaked with purplish-brown, shelters an erect club (the spadix or "Jack") 2-3" long. Spadix bears tiny separate male and female flowers at the base.
• Leaves: Basal, 1 or usually 2, long-stemmed, divided into 3 parts, veined, dull green.
• Height: Height: 1-3' (30-90 cm).
• Habitat: Damp woods.
• Blooms: April-June.

Distinctive green flower is common in our area. There is some disagreement among the experts about weather there are one or more species, based on differences in leaves, spathe, and size.

The root has a fiery caustic compand that makes it inedible raw; natives may have cooked or roasted it in order to make it palatable, which would account for the common name.

Fruit: cluster of shiny red berries on spadix appear prominantly in late summer and fall.