I had wanted one for years but there was always some excuse, after all it is not the only plant in the yard. In late August while I was walking in the woods, a red object caught my eye. If you routinely walk in wooded areas the predominant colors are green brown and grey. Red? A small detour had me standing over a fully exposed plant. As if some animal had dug the complete plant out of the ground, from seeds to corm sat a Arisaema triphyllum(Jack in the Pulpit). ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) The area of the woods fit the habitat for finding one. Nice!! I have it growing in my own woods. Were there any more? The short answer is I won't know till spring. An entry in my spring 'todo' list is to check for more. In the mean time I have this dried plant with corm and seeds. Seeds!! ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) As for the corm, ( photo / image / picture from Jerry Sullivan's Garden ) it sits in the refrigerator racking up its chill hours. In the spring the corm will be planted to the original depth as measured on the plant. I do however wonder about finding it fully exposed, just lying there. I know I have a midnight muncher that likes to dig up bulbs/corms etc. I also know that the plant is poisonous, perhaps the muncher had second thoughts? Anyway, I will plant the corm with a screen around it as a deterrent. How many more are there? The plant will grow up to two feet tall, something hard to miss if I am looking for it. I did find another berry cluster without the corm so there is at least one more. These are mature plants, maybe they have kids? They will have because I have two berry clusters also accumulating chill hours. Now the woods are shrouded in a blanket of winter white so the only fun back there are animal tracks. Spring will get here, soon I hope. Jerry
To sow the seeds successfully you need to remove the red pulp and wash the seeds. they have double dormancy protection, the pulp itself and the surface of the actual seed. Don't lick your fingers when cleaning the seed by the way.
Great find Jerry... I like the final piece of advise in your last sentence Palustris... Are these seeds SWEET and STICKY?
Certainly the juice is sticky, but very definitely not good for you. The effect is reported to be like having a mouthful of sharp needles. Never tried it to test the truth of that statement and not intending to either. Stains ones fingers orange too.
A handle with gloves note has been added to the logbook. My reference, scant as it is, indicates the leaves and roots contain significant portions of poisonous substances. Another reference indicates that the poison from the plant, calcium oxalate, if ingested can cause: Burning in mouth and throat Diarrhea Nausea and vomiting Slurred speech Swelling of mouth and tongue -- can cause difficulty breathing if severe Teary eyes The roots are apparently, the most dangerous part. Right now both seed clusters obtained last August are in marked plastic envelopes. "Caution Handling" has been added. This adds an interesting twist to the spring planting. Jerry
