Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

By trade I am a botanical illustrator and sell my wares at art and craft shows throughout the New England area. This affords me a wonderful opportunity to speak with many people on the subject of wildflowers. From these conversations I have learned that the early spring woodland wildflowers are among the most revered, with Jack-in the-Pulpit at the top of the list of favorites. I don’t know if it is because it evokes memories of childhood and a simpler, unfettered time in life, or because the early woodland wildflowers are so fleeting and unusual. Probably, it’s a combination of both. 

I made my acquaintance with the old fellow one Spring day as a child. I remember running through the woods with friends -the tall treetops, not yet quite fully leafed out - the fresh, young green leaves filtering the morning sunlight. We stopped in our tracks to examine this strange, exotic plant growing in a clearing. Someone exclaimed excitedly ”Oh, that’s Jack in the pulpit!” Intrigued, we lifted its flap and peered inside the queer purple and green striped cup, quite amused by the thin purple tongue sticking out at us! 

Jack-in-the-Pulpit is truly one of the most peculiar looking wildflowers to be sure. It is easily distinguished by its tube or challis shaped spathe which encloses the “Jack” or the spadix - a fleshy, club shaped object that protrudes out of the end of the spathe and is covered by a hood. This feature has not been lost in the annals of folklore for its irreverent sexual association resulting in such ribald common names as cuckoo pint - or cuckoo pintle (pintle or penis), priest’s pilly, dog’s dilly and the whimsical Willy lily! 

Jack-in-the-Pulpit has adapted in several amazing ways to ensure its evolutional survival. Firstly, its unique design - the hooded spathe which encloses the flower-bearing spadix. Not only does it offer the flowers protection from predation, it also has a more sinister function. The base of the spadix exudes a fetid odor and is where the tiny flowers are actually located; luring gnats, mosquitos and flies down to the base of this deep chamber. After taking their fill, the dinner guests may find they are trapped. (There is a way out - a slit at the base of the spathe.) If the insect is too large, or not strong enough, it may not be able to escape. Many an insect corpse has been found in the bottom of this enclosure, giving rise to speculation that it may evolve to become a carnivorous plant like the pitcher plant. Nonetheless, this simple strategy ensures pollination like no other. 

Like other members of the Arum family - (Arum from the Arabic “ar” for “fire”) the root contains crystalline calcium oxalate. This chemical serves to protect the plant from being ingested by insects and animals as these tiny crystals become embedded in the soft tissues of the mouth resulting in an intense sensation of needles burning in the tongue and throat - hence its other common names: devil's ear, pepper turnip, dragon root, bog onion, and memory root. (Biting into one of those roots, you won’t soon forget it!) This substance is found throughout the whole plant, including the berries, but is mostly concentrated in the root or corm. I don’t recommend fooling around with eating any part of this plant, as I’ve read from many sources that it results in severe gastric distress and in some cases, death. Yet, there are those hardcore back-to-the-landers that insist on making potato chips from the roasted roots. Potatoes are plentiful. I don’t understand why they want to destroy these wonderful wildflowers for such folly.

Jack-in-the-Pulpits also have the extraordinary ability to change sexes from year to year depending on what nutrition has been available to the plant throughout the growing year. Male plants need less nutrition as their main function is simply to create pollen in the spring. After their flowers fade, they spend the rest of the year gathering energy from the sun and storing food in their corms.  Females - the Jills, require more resources. After flowering, they must produce seeds and fortify them with nutrients for their baby plants and produce fruit that will entice birds to disperse them.

If the plant is in an economy mode due to lack of nutrition - be it poor soil conditions or transplanting, it will set male flower buds and one set of leaf buds. If the conditions are favorable, in addition to setting female flower buds,they will also produce an extra set of leaf buds as the extra leaves gives the plant it more of an opportunity to gather nutrition through photosynthesis.

In the scheme of things, I ‘d say that both Jacks and Jills have  much in their evolutional favor - they have all their bases covered for survival - save for the bulldozer. It is reassuring to know that this unusual wildflower has a special place in the hearts of so many of us. We must be more conscious and active in protecting  and saving the graces of our woodlands.

photo by:Richie Bittner

Jack-in-the- Pulpit

Jack-in-the-Pulpit , two leaves showing female form.