Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum
Picture taken May 9, 2001
The name Jack-in-the-Pulpit refers to the flowering structure of the plant. Jack is the cylindrical
club-shaped structure (spadix) which bears minute flowers near the base and is enclosed in his pulpit which
is a sheathing bracht (spathe). Jack's flowers may be either "male" flowers or "female" flowers, but not
both. Jacks with male flowers produce only pollen. Those with female flowers produce scarlet berries (see
July 5). Jack can change his sex from year to year.
The plants have one or two large compound leaves composed of three leaflets. Those plants with two leaves
are usually "female" while those with only one leaf are "male".
Family Araceae (Arum Family)
Plant Name Index
| Pictorial Index
April 13
| May 2
| May 9
May 17
| May 29
| June 11
July 5
| July 26
| August 21
September 13
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