Arisaema triphyllum

Jack-in-the-PulpitArisaema triphyllum, or Jack-in-the-Pulpit, is also known as Indian Turnip, Indian Almond, Pepper Turnip, Marsh Pepper, Bog Onion, Priest's Pentle, Wood Pulpit, Little Pulpit, Cuckoo Flower, Starchwort, Memory Root, Devil's Ear, Dragonroot, Brown Dragon, & even occasionally, half in jest, Jill-in-the-Pulpit, when a flower is recognized as the female.

Arisaema triphyllum or "Jack-In-The-Pulpit" is native to moist woodlands from Canada to Florida, and westward to Kansas and Texas. The corms and stems should be considered poisonous.

Blooming Time: Spring. The green and white spathe will grow to 4-7 inches long.

Culture: Arisaema triphyllum need partial shade to full shade with a rich moist soil. We use a soil mix consisting of 2 parts peat moss to 1 part loam to 1 part sand or perlite. The plant should be kept moist throughout the growing season. Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. In late summer to early fall, we let the plants dry out. After the foliage dies back, the corms are lifted and stored in dry vermiculite at 40° F until early February. Corms are then re-planted and incubated at 55 to 60° F. They will usually bloom within 6 to 8 weeks.

Propagation: Arisaema triphyllum are propagated by division of natural offsets or by seed. Seed should be sown in an organic rich compost, barely covering the seeds with sand. Germination should occur in 30-180 days at 55-60° F.

Found in zone 9b.