Jack-in-the-pulpit - Arisaema triphyllum
Above: Jack-in-the-pulpit in the Oak Savanna on May 3, 2020.
Jack-in-the-pulpit - Arisaema triphyllum (Spring Ephemeral)
The "Jack", or spadix sits in a tubular base with a hood (the "pulpit", or spathe).
The spadix is light green to reddish green. The spathe is light green to purplish
green and often dotted with white or purplish stripes.
A native perennial, the plant flowers in May and June. However, not all the flowers are "Jacks." Initially Jack-in-the-pulpits produce only male flowers but, in later years, Jack-in-the-pulpits may have male flowers on top and female flowers ("Jills") on the bottom.
This all depends on how much energy has been stored in the plant's corm (a bulbous underground stem that stores the plant's carbohydrates).
Other names: Indian turnip
Above: Jack-in-the-pulpit in the Oak Savanna on May 3, 2020.
Above: Jack-in-the-pulpit in the Oak Savanna on May 7, 2020.
Above: Jack-in-the-pulpit in the Oak Savanna on May 8, 2020.
For more information on Jack-in-the-pulpit, visit Wikipedia.
Or, visit the UW-Madison Wisconsin State Herbarium website page about Jack-in-the-pulpit.
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum
Above: Jack-in-the-pulpit in the Oak Savanna (5/03/20)
Above: Jack-in-the-pulpit in the Oak Savanna (5/04/20)
Above: Jack-in-the-pulpit in the Oak Savanna (5/06/20)
Above: Jack-in-the-pulpit with no "Jack" by Duck Pond parking lot (5/13/20)
Above: 1917 Jack-in-the-Pulpit illustration by Mary Vaux Walcott. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist.
Above: Jack-in-the-Pulpit illustration by Alice Lounsberry circa 1899.
Above: Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) from USDA NRCS, Wetland flora Field office illustrated guide to plant species.
Above: 1969 Jack-in-the-Pulpit illustration USDA FS (Guide to Medicinal Plants of Appalachia).
