Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) aka: Bog Onion, Brown Dragon, Indian Turnip, Wake Robin or Wild Turnip
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And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very
good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day" (Genesis 1:31)
Since 
(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 01)
The most distinctive feature of the jack-in-the-pulpit is its hooded
flower, but it can often be overlooked as being just another leaf, as it is
mostly viewed from the top. However, the three pointed leaflets of the
palmate leaf atop a stem in close proximity to the "pulpit" make it stand out on
the floor of moist woods and thickets. Sometimes, as in this picture,
there will be two 3-fingered leaves forming a "V".
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 02)
Jack can be seen standing in the pulpit, if we crouch down or we
gently lift the hood-like spathe. One of the distinctive features of the
jack-in-the-pulpit are the stripes on the "bowl" of the pulpit and those on the
underside of its "canopy" or hood. The literature says that
jack-in-the-pulpit can grow to one to three feet high, but we have never seen
them over one foot. Our experience has been that when flowering, they are
usually only about six inches high.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 03)
Note the difference in coloration of this jack-in-the-pulpit from the
previous photographed variety. The literature tells us that there are three
major varieties which differ mainly in the color striping of the spathe or hood,
which can be green, purple or white. What we have not found is any mention
of the different color of "Jack". The Woodland jack-in-the-pulpit has
purple-brown stripes, and its albino form has green stripes. The Northern
jack-in-the-pulpit has white ridges outside and purple-brown stripes inside.
The Swamp jack-in-the-pulpit is nearly black.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 04)
We marvel at all the interesting things that God has spread out upon
this earth for us to enjoy and preserve for future generations. The
jack-in-the-pulpit is just one of these points of interest we look for every
spring. This wildflower is also called "Indian turnip", because of
its corms which the Native American ate. The jack-in-the-pulpit can be
found all along the eastern seacoast of the United States and as far west as Kansas.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 05)
Our desire in presenting this jack-in-the-pulpit and the other
wildflowers in this series is to help our human race take the time to "smell the
roses", so to speak, and to resensitize ourselves to the softer and more gentle
side of life. Our prayer is that we will sing praises as the psalmist did
(Psalm 9:1): I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Thy wonders [miracles]. I will be glad and exult in Thee; I will sing praise to Thy name, O Most High. Our hope is that when we do this, we will no longer harm each other, or the animals, or the environment. |
(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 07)
We have found different shades of coloration on both "Jack" and
the "pulpit." The "Jack" in this jack-in-the-pulpit is green, which was
the first one of this color we encountered.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 08)
Notice how much darker the coloration of this jack-in-the-pulpit
is than of the one in the previous photo.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 09)
This is another close-up photo of the jack-in-the-pulpit flower.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 10)
The flower of the jack-in-the-pulpit has faded away and exposed
the berry cluster. When ripe, the berries turn red.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 11)
This is a closer look at the unripe jack-in-the-pulpit berry cluster.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 12)
This is a close-up view of a jack-in-the-pulpit berry cluster.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 13)
This is another nearly ripe jack-in-the-pulpit berry cluster. The leaves are from other plants.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 14)
This jack-in-the-pulpit berry cluster is hiding in the shadows of the woods.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 15)
Margaret Ligas sent us this
photo and comment, with our thanks: "Thought I'd send this picture
of a Jack-in-the-Pulpit that I have growing in the garden at my cottage.
This is only one of about 15 plants that appeared
this year. For the past 20 years we only had 1
plant. Last year we had three and then this past summer we had an abundance. The
original plant was about 24" this year, the tallest so far.
- My son in England sent me the link to your site and
I am really enjoying it. If I am lucky next summer
and have another large patch of the flower I will send you more photos of the whole patch.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 16)
This is another cluster of Jack in the pulpit berries. The
leaves are from other plants.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 17)
This is another look at the Jack in the pulpit berry cluster.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 18)
We found this cluster of Jack in the pulpit berries to be very
interesting, because of the different sized of mature berries.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 18a)
When we took this photo, we did not realize that a female
mosquito was on the Jack in the pulpit berry cluster, or we would have taken
more photos of her. Even though she is partially out of focus, it looks
like she is trying to insert her proboscis into a berry, which, if this is what
she is really doing, is counter to all the things we have read about mosquito
behavior and feeding.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 19)
This is another photo of the Jack in the pulpit berry cluster
with the visiting mosquito (still partially out of focus), but it does look like
she's feeding on a berry.
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(Jack-in-the-Pulpit - 20)
This is a newly opening Jack in the pulpit. At this stage
of development, the leaves are not fully opened and the pulpit canopy has not
yet curled forward.
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(Jack in the Pulpit - 21)
This photo of the a Jack in the pulpit growing beside some young maple trees was
sent to us by Julie E. Johnson with our thanks.
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(Jack in the Pulpit - 22)
This is another of Julie E. Johnson's photos of a jack in the pulpit.
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(Jack in the Pulpit - 23)
This is another of Julie E. Johnson's photos of a jack in the pulpit. |
(Jack in the Pulpit - 24)
This is another of Julie E. Johnson's photos of a jack in the pulpit. |
(Jack in the Pulpit - 25)
This is another of Julie E. Johnson's photos of a jack in the pulpit. |
| Wild Flowers of Sleepy Hollow Lake | Art and Photos | Nature Studies |
Presented here are just a few of the countless components of God's creation.
Just as we cannot have human and animal life without water and plants, neither
can we have lasting peace without love and compassion. It is our hope and
prayer that this series will motivate people to live and act in a cruelty-free
manner; that we would no longer hurt or destroy each other, the animals or our
environment.
If you would like to contribute a photo and/or comment to these series,
please contact;
Frank L. Hoffman flh@all-creatures.org
© 2002-2011 - The Mary T. and Frank L. Hoffman Family Foundation. All rights reserved. May be copied only for personal use or by not for profit organizations to promote compassionate and responsible living. All copied and reprinted material must contain proper credits and web site link www.all-creatures.org
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