Family: Aroid
Season: late spring
(09-May-98; Malloryville Fen; flower of large variety)
(09-May-98; Malloryville Fen; large variety)
(Treman Lake; 20-Aug-96; unripe berries)
(Sept-98; Shindagin; ripe berries)
(Sept-97; Star Stanton; freak single Berry?)
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Indian Turnip
A common flower in damp woodlands in mid-spring. A tubed, striped spathe ("pulpit") that envelops and folds-over the club-like spadix ("Jack") inside. A dense cluster of green berries forms on the flower stalk that turns a brillant red as they ripen mid/late summer. Size ranges for 4 inches to 3 feet - size being largely environmental, though there are sub-species. Three-part, broad untoothed leaves; typically one or two sets; A vein-isolated margin around the outside of leaf.
Kids of all ages find it irresistable to flip up the flap and see Jack inside.
Several differences leads one to think of a couple of different species. There certainly seems to be a smaller variety (6-8") that has white-stripes and a very large (3') variety with purplish stripes. Species vs. variety seems a matter of debate amoung various guides.
Member of Aroid family which includes skunk cabbage, philidendrons, and taro. Plants contain crystals that irriate mouth and throat, causing swelling.