Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit): Minnesota Wildflowers

Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit)

Plant Info
Also known as:	Indian Turnip
Genus:	Arisaema
Family:	Araceae (Arum)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	shade; moist woods
Bloom season:	April - June
Plant height:	1 to 3 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Battle Creek Regional Park

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Flower is 3 to 4 inches tall and about 2 inches across, made up of a 2 to 3 inch long club (the “Jack”, or spadix) sitting in a tubular base with a hood (the “pulpit”, or spathe). The Jack is light green to reddish green. The pulpit is light green to purplish green and often dotted with white or purplish stripes. Separate male and female flowers are hidden from view on the lower part of the Jack inside the tube.

Leaves:

1 or 2 sets (male has 1, female 2) of compound leaves with 3 leaflets; each leaflet is up to 7 inches long and 3 inches across, generally oval with a pointed tip. The middle leaflet is generally larger than the side 2. The leaves can tower over the flower and hide it from view.

The vein pattern is unique in that there is a continuous vein around the edge of the leaf, creating a border effect. The leaf edges are a bit wavy but otherwise smooth.

Fruit:

Fruit is a cluster of green berries each about ¼ inch long that ripen to bright red in late summer.

Notes:

Jack-in-the-Pulpit has both male and female plants, though some plants are unisex and they can change gender. The leaves might be confused for a species of Trillium, but the vein pattern is distinctly different.

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More photos

a group of Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Photos taken at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Coon Rapids, MN, and Wild River State Park, Center City, MN May 2007 and August 2009

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Candace F
on: 2009-05-18 22:24:47

Is it illegal to dig and replant jack in the pulpits?

Posted by: K Chayka
on: 2009-05-19 08:08:21

It is illegal to dig up any plant on public lands without a permit. Jack-in-the-pulpit isn't an endangered species, so if it is on your own property, or on private property and you have permission from the owner, it shouldn't be a problem. When in doubt, check with the DNR.

Posted by: Merri V
on: 2009-05-29 19:03:26

Yes,I spotted several jack-in-the-pulpits for the first time today. It was in the woods on my next door neighbor's property where she and I dump our lawn clippings. There is rotten wood nearby. Ottertail County.

A couple of years ago my friend gave me a plant that she called a jack in the pulpit from her forest. I noticed a bloom on it today on the underside of the leaves, but it is a white blossom and is not shaped like a pulpit. It also has 3 leaves, but are more "clover-like"...grows the same and is same height. Are there different varieties of jack-in-the-pulpits? Does anyone know what the white one is? I can't find a picture of it. Guess I'll have to take one!

Posted by: K Chayka
on: 2009-05-29 22:02:32

The white flowered plant may be a trillium. The leaves are similar to jack-in-the-pulpit and they grow in similar habitat at about the same time.

Posted by: Merri V
on: 2009-05-29 23:36:12

YES!! That's it. Thank you so much. I'm so enjoying in. They must be slow to propagate or don't transplant readily. I've had it for 3 years and still is only one little stem that I'm careful not to trample....but the bloom this year was a pleasant surprise. Thanks again.

Posted by: Sharon H P
on: 2009-06-05 15:04:05

Jack-in-the-pulpit in Edina, MN. We are very fortunate! Growing near one of our bird baths (in the shade) along with various hostas.

Posted by: njsmommy in Minnetonka
on: 2010-05-11 14:40:28

We moved into our home 4 summers ago and I've been activly removing garlic mustard weed from the woods that back up to our lot. This is the first year I've noticed several jack in the pulpit plants growing in the areas I've been clearing. Guess they were waiting for all that nasty garlic mustard weed to go away before making an appearance!

Posted by: Liz in Savage
on: 2010-05-17 22:30:40

I have been in my home for 20 years and just this weekend found not one but 6 Jack in the pulpit plants. They are in the woods by the Credit River bank. They are so neat! It was a treat to find them, not sure why they showed up this season. It will be fun to watch the transformation to the berries.

Posted by: Tom in Minnetonka
on: 2010-05-18 10:18:15

Like the poster njsmommy, I was clearing out garlic mustard and saw the plant. Very neat, but I had no clue what it was until I spent some time online (evidently my biology minor is not paying off). Our 6th year in our house and first I've noticed it. Mostly shade area, a little sun, miost and dense floor. On the 'wild' side of a very short fence, I'll leave it alone and hope it will blossom into the red berries.

Posted by: Terry in Lakeville
on: 2010-05-21 21:09:21

I recently attended 2 seminars sponsored by, and presented at, the MN Zoo. Buckthorn removal and native MN plants were the 2 subjects presented. I learned clear-cutting buckthorn is a mistake that removes native plants. I'm very happy to report carefully removing buckthorn has yielded wonderful treasure: several Jack-in-the-Pulpits! It took me a long time to find this flower's true name - and this site is where it happened. Thanks!! I hope to discover other native flowers as I continue to remove buckthorn...carefully.

Posted by: Alison in Preston, Fillmore County
on: 2010-07-12 15:00:27

Found jack-in-the-pulpit in the County Farm in Preston in May 2010.

Posted by: jen in minnetonka
on: 2011-05-30 17:51:58

I found several this year while clearing buckthorn and weeds!

Posted by: Jeannie in Shoreview
on: 2011-07-13 09:00:00

I have an abundance of this plant in my yard. All my plant friends can't believe how many I have. A lot of them have tried to take some home to grow but have had little success. When the seed pod falls off I move them to other areas of my yard.

Posted by: Linda in Dakota County
on: 2011-07-15 13:45:28

There is lots of Jack-in-the-Pulpit growing in the woods across the road from our home in South St Paul. I've also found it in Simon's Ravine Park in South St Paul, but you have to get off the main trail in order to see it.

Posted by: Karen in Alexandria, Douglas county, Lake Mary woods
on: 2011-09-11 18:56:40

As I was taking a walk along the gravel road,a bright-red color caught my attention! There, in the ditch near the water, I discovered 3 plants! I have never seen these along the road before {and I grew up at this place}. Took pictures and went on web to find what I thought they might be. Hope they continue to multiply.