Out
On A Limb / May 2006
Undercover Perennial
Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum, is a member of the Arum (Araceae) family, containing about 2,000 species, many of them ornamentals and foliage plants. Jack in the Pulpit is found scattered throughout various terrains in the southern Appalachians but especially near waterfalls or streams or splashing water. Related to philodendron, caladiums and calla lily, the plant is native to wet woodlands and thickets from Nova Scotia to Minnesota and southward to Florida and Texas. The name is derived from the spadix (“Jack”) who sits in the spathe (the pulpit-like leaf). The spadix contains rows of black seeds (from tiny flowers) which resemble mushroom spores in appearance.
The leaves radiate from the top of the stalk of the perennial, overshadowing the unusual flower, often hidden, which blooms from March through June. Jack in the Pulpit range from twelve inches to three feet tall. Late in the summer, the flower is replaced by a black seed cluster that turns red by autumn. Young Jack in the Pulpit plants are almost identical in appearance to trilliums and are distinguished from them by a leaf vein just inside of and parallel to the leaflet edge.
As a wildflower, they are best found in woodland areas near swamps, though not waterlogged areas but they live easily in transition areas between adjacent ecological communities. Jack in the Pulpit is associated with Toothwort, Hepatica, Wild geranium, Bloodroot, Swamp Buttercup, and Prairie Trillium.
The unusual plant is known across the Western half of the US by many names, including Indian turnip, swamp turnip, pepper turnip, meadow turnip, marsh turnip, dragon turnip, wild turnip, bog onion, wild pepper, brown dragon, thrice-leaved arum, cuckoo plant, starchwort, devil’s ear, priest’s pintle, dragon root, memory root, and lords and ladies.
A common wild herb, the enlarged, cooked root of a Jack in the Pulpit was once used as a food source. American Indians used the plant medicinally to treat rheumatism and bronchitis and it was sometimes used externally as a treatment for snakebite. Although the turnip designation appears often in its common names, it can only be eaten after boiling and thoroughly drying. Even then, the pungent flavor might be too intense for the modern palate. It was generally ground into meal before use. Fresh or only partially dried root is intensely irritating to mucous tissue.
For wild flower growing, the corm can be collected in the wild and transplanted, or the red berries can be collected and the seeds extracted and planted immediately, or stratified for planting in early spring. The species thrives in rich wet soil in shady places in the woods or wild flower gardens, usually in colonies of individual plants. Rarely do more than two or three grow together in close proximity naturally.
Plant Jack in the Pulpit in a home garden in part shade, in well-drained soil with a pH from 6.0-8.0 that stays moist year-round. A light application of organic fertilizer is welcomed. Plants should be placed no deeper than their growing containers and spaced 6 to 9 inches apart. Mulch around-not over-the plants with three inches of organic compost and water until the soil is completely moist. For normal care, in the spring, remove old foliage, apply a light application of organic fertilizer on top of the soil and mulch again with about three inches of organic compost. Water well weekly until soil is completely moist, especially during dry summers since the plants have low drought tolerance
A favorite of nature lovers and gardeners, Jack in the Pulpit has his own poem, written by an anonymous admirer:
Fair is the canopy over him seen
Pencilled by nature’s hand, black, brown and green.
Green is his surplice, green are his bands.
In his queer little pulpit the little priest stands
Copyright © 2005-2006 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
Femme Fair 2006
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