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
Wetland Indicator Status:GP: FAC MW: FACW NCNE: FAC
MN county distribution (click map to enlarge):Minnesota county distribution map
National distribution (click map to enlarge):National distribution map

Pick an image for a larger view. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Detailed Information

Flower: Flower shape: irregular

[photo of 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 spadix is light green to reddish green. The spathe is light green to purplish green and often dotted with white or purplish stripes. Plants are either male or female and the flowering structure looks essentially the same from the outside, with the staminate or pistillate flowers hidden on the lower part of the spadix at the bottom of the tube.

Leaves: Leaf attachment: alternate Leaf type: compound Leaf type: palmate

[photo of leaves] Leaves emerge after the flowers, in 1 or 2 sets of compound leaves (male and non-flowering plants have 1, female 2), each leaf 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 lateral 2. The leaves can tower over the flower and hide it from view.

[photo of leaflet] The vein pattern is distinct with a continuous vein around the edge of the leaf, creating a border effect. The leaf edges are a bit wavy but otherwise smooth. Stems are smooth and green to purple, or mottled green and purple.

Fruit: Fruit type: berry/drupe

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

Notes:

While Jack-in-the-pulpit has both male and female plants, they can change gender from year to year, apparently in response to successful (or failed) reproduction the previous year. Males resprout from an underground corm that can last several seasons, the corm sending off shoots and producing new plants as well. Males tend to be smaller than females and have a small hole at the bottom of the spathe which allows pollinators to escape (with their pollen) more easily. Female plants lack the hole and pollinators are more likely to become trapped, better ensuring successful pollination. Sneaky devils. Jack-in-the-pulpit leaves might be confused for a species of Trillium, but Trillium leaves tend to be proportionately broader and the vein pattern lacks the border effect of Jacks.

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More photos

Photos by K. Chayka taken at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Anoka County, and Wild River State Park, Chisago County. Other photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk.

Comments

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

Posted by: Candace
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

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. On public lands you need permission from the agency (city, county or state) that manages the land.

Posted by: Merri - Ottertail co
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 - Ottertail co
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 - Edina
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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - minnetonka
on: 2011-05-30 17:51:58

I found several this year while clearing buckthorn and weeds!

Posted by: Jeannie - 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 - 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 - 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.

Posted by: Jolaine - Waseca County
on: 2012-04-27 10:06:30

I have alot of Jack in the pulpits in my woods. We moved on the property in 2001 and I began clearing the Buckthorn out. As I did this I found the Jacks and if they weren't in a good spot I moved them and they are thriving. Every year there are more and they seem to get larger when they aren't competing with something else.

Posted by: Summer - Minnetonka
on: 2012-05-01 12:24:18

Found this beautiful plant everywhere at the bottom of a maple forest at Lake Ann Park.

Posted by: Paula - Monticello MN
on: 2012-05-02 14:36:18

I found dozens of Jack-in-the-pulpit plants while hiking and taking photographs in Lake Maria state park in Monticello. Some were almost sold green while others had the darker stripes.

Posted by: Janelle - Glendalough State Park
on: 2012-05-04 09:23:00

We found these growing in the woods in Glendalough State Park (in Battle Lake) May 3, 2012

Posted by: Brian - Deerwood
on: 2012-05-05 18:06:47

Found a bunch of them scouting for morels in rural Deerwood. Some were green and some had the dark variegation. May 5, 2012

Posted by: Cqryberg - Lake Elmo
on: 2012-05-14 19:55:27

We have two Jack in the Pulpit plants that have sprouted up spontaneously in our Lake Elmo yard this spring. We've been here over 30 years and this is a first for us. Who is planting them?

Posted by: Loni - Champlin
on: 2012-05-15 15:18:47

We have a Jack-in-the-pulpit near the edge of our property, where it is wet in the spring with water run off from the walking path. This year I have noticed what appear to be several small ones growing near the one large one...so maybe they are spreading. Years ago I noticed one growing among the Buckthorn.(which we are working on removing the nasty stuff).

Posted by: Mary - Rochester & Stillwater
on: 2012-05-16 09:52:24

U have some Jack in the Pulpit in both gardens (Stillwater and Rochester). Each year when I find the red berries I throw them in various other parts of my shade garden, hoping to find more the following year. I don't know how they got there, but I love them!

Posted by: Tom - Maple Grove
on: 2012-05-30 14:55:50

I've have a bed of Jack in the pulpits for about 10 years on the north side of my house. I started with 1 or 2 and now have 75 to 100 plants. Some stand 2 feet tall and the leaves are the size of a football. I take the ripe red seeds in the fall and bury them at varing depths. I don't know what the ideal depth is, but I end up with an increase in the number of plants each year.

Posted by: dan - S MN near Faribault
on: 2012-07-06 14:06:52

I have many in two wooded area on our farm and would like to move them. When, how deep do I dig?

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2012-07-06 17:06:00

Dan, wait until the plants go dormant, then you can move them safely. You just need to dig deep enough to get the tuber, and transplant that. It shouldn't be down too deep. Collect any berries and replant them, too.

Posted by: Cory - North Oaks, MN
on: 2013-05-18 23:45:04

Fun to see these nestled under an oak tree today. Deep rich color.

Posted by: Erik - Ham Lake
on: 2013-06-11 11:33:48

We have these plants all over our maple-wooded area in the back 2/3 of our yard. At first we mistook them for trillium, but were corrected by a family friend. I have successfully transplanted them early in the year when "Jack is in the pulpit", you just have to be careful not to break the tuber/stems during transport as they are quite fragile, but it seems to me the key is getting the whole of the root system when digging up, then plenty of water which seems to be the key to get the plant to go to berries, and then we have just let the berries lie on the ground once they naturally drop later in the summer/early fall, and every year we get more plants in the same spot. Successful transplanting to my mother's yard in Ramsey--but we have found they definitely need to be in shady areas.

Posted by: Tilly - Dassel MN
on: 2013-07-01 12:20:05

Jacks grow wild in my yard, they are almost an invasive species. I have never seen so many!

Posted by: Sue - Eden Prairie
on: 2014-08-30 11:06:34

We have an abundance in our woods. We (my husband) has been working to remove the buckthorn, large and small, by hand all summer. I suspect the J-I-P was there all along, we can just see it now.

Posted by: Sue - Rush City
on: 2014-09-09 01:43:16

Just this week, I noticed this plant with red berries in the wooded portion of our yard. I don't know how it got there. Do birds carry the seeds?

Posted by: Beth - St. Paul
on: 2014-10-03 11:55:52

Does anyone know if there are other plants with similar seed pods? A friend has a plant in the shady side of their yard with a similar seed cluster, but no "flower" and the leaves are somewhat different. We are trying to figure out what it is! Thanks!

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2014-10-03 16:29:33

Beth, if it has fruit then there must be a flower, though it may have bloomed months ago. What is different about the leaves? Why don't you take a picture and post it on the Minnesota Wildflowers Facebook page?

Posted by: Kathy - Maplewood
on: 2015-03-30 07:08:42

When I moved in to my mobile home 14 years ago, I found a Jack in the Pulpit under some Arborvitae on the north side of my shed. Haven't seen any since. Sounds like they can be pretty aggressive.

Posted by: Lyndsey - Minneapolis
on: 2015-04-28 13:22:24

What does it mean if the Jack does not bloom? It just sets leaves but does not bloom or set berries. What can be done to correct that problem? Does the soil need to be more acidic or moist? Thank you

Posted by: Dawn - Annandale
on: 2015-05-08 08:57:21

Lots of Jacks have popped up in my perennial bed. It's only our first spring on this property, and the bed had been neglected by the former owner, so the Jacks may have been there all along. I want to keep some of them, but not all. Does the foliage remain all summer, or does it die back after the berries ripen? I want to be sure to give them enough room among the other plants in the bed.

Posted by: cheryl - elm creek park
on: 2015-05-08 22:57:53

This is blooming and numerous on the expert loop of the mountain bike trail of elm creek park Champlain, mn

Posted by: Steve - NE Stearns County
on: 2015-05-10 13:14:31

My daughter (8) showed the few whole plants that she has thriving in a bowl of water in her room. they are growing on the wooded edge of our property. I've noticed the berries before, but was never that interested to look them up before seeing the bloom. There is some poison ivy in the area, which I've had some success treating with spraying. The Jacks seem to be benefitting.

Posted by: DebO - Saint Anthony Village
on: 2015-05-21 22:28:10

Three plants first appeared in my shady back corner garden about three years ago. No new plants, but the stems seem to be getting thicker each year. All three plants appear to be female this year.

Posted by: Jo M - St Louis Park
on: 2015-05-29 21:43:24

I live at the edge of a small wooded area that has many wildflowers. We first saw Jack-in-the-Pulpits nearly 20 years ago, and they have increased slowly over the years, in several patches with deep shade. Now this year they seem to be everywhere, easily quadruple the number I've seen in the past. Is it the wet spring we've been having? It's very exciting to see them all.

Posted by: DJ - New Brighton
on: 2015-05-31 21:14:43

7 yrs ago I discovered this plant in my very wooded backyard. There was only 2 or 3. Now that I have been taking better care of the yard, I now have many of these growing. Some are spotted dark green with a purple tint 3ft tall. The others are a very light lime green.

Posted by: gretchen - albany/ lake webegon trail
on: 2015-06-08 22:46:23

Taking a walk on the trail, looking for "ladies" (slipers) and spoted a "JACK", 6/1/15, took a picture, was steller spring because also found 11 morels in same area. Things on the bucket list.

Posted by: Dorothy - Harris Township, Itasca County
on: 2015-06-11 13:55:52

Found several of these in late May in the woodlot along shaded areas.

Posted by: Pamela - Lost Lake Peatland SNA-Tower
on: 2015-07-02 21:42:35

Discovered many Jack in the Pulpits in early June across Lost Lake that were almost dark brown colored and striped on the inside. Quite interesting!

Posted by: Kevin - Edina---Home back hill--5/22/16
on: 2016-05-22 13:31:29

Do deer and rabbits eat Jack in the Pulpits? Do I need to surround with wire screen to protect from any animals? Prior posts mentioned getting rid of buckthorn and garlic mustard first.....same here.

Posted by: Kelli - New Brighton
on: 2016-05-23 17:04:32

We have about 10 plants that have just popped up in our yard in the past couple of years. There are 3 different patches of them. What a fun find.

Posted by: Mike - Lake Sallie, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
on: 2016-05-25 13:19:12

I have had at least two on my property on the edge of the woods for several years. I have two this year in the same location as in previous years, one larger than the other. Both flowers failed and wilted, not sure why. Any thoughts?

Posted by: Carol - Three miles into Iowa, just south of Albert Lea
on: 2016-05-28 16:28:52

Can I cut the tubers apart to move them.?

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2016-05-28 20:23:14

Once they go dormant it's safe to move them.

Posted by: jeff - Esko in Carlton County
on: 2016-06-05 18:40:16

I found several jack-in-the-pulpits on a friend's property. What a sight! Do they consume insects?

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2016-06-06 11:45:19

Jeff, JITP is not a carnivorous plant, though insects may be trapped inside after pollination.

Posted by: Mn Lost Boy - Scandia
on: 2016-11-15 09:25:20

I've been growing Jack-in-the-pulpit since I was a kid. I grab the orangish / red korns and just toss them in the woods. Several places I have lived now have hundreds growing along the paths. I once heard that a kid in my yard had tried to eat one and had to go to the emergency room. I had to taste.... As I bit the Korn it felt like an electrical shock in my mouth. I spit everything out immediately, and continued to spit for a while. My mouth started to salivate and the little oxalic acid I had in my mouth ran down my throat and caused pain and a little swelling. Later numbness. If a person did indeed swallow any (I did not) it would probably cause your throat to swell shut.... I have heard the green Korns have more oxalic acid than the orangish ones....

Posted by: Judy - New Brighton
on: 2017-05-23 13:16:43

Excited to find several jack-in-the pulpits in my raspberry bed this week. I grew up on a farm and my father would occasionally bring home a plant from his woods. I think they're cute. I tried to plant some several years ago and didn't think they grew.

Posted by: Chris H - Devil Track Wildflower Sanctuary outside Grand Marais
on: 2017-05-29 13:57:14

Just blooming now along the river

Posted by: Norman - Eagan
on: 2017-05-31 19:30:38

What is the plural of jack in the pulpit? Is it jacks in the pulpit? Or jack in the pulpits.

Posted by: Marty - Isle
on: 2017-06-01 12:58:20

For several years I've been moving wild geraniums and forget-me-nots from our woods to a spot along my lawn and enjoy their pretty blue display every spring. I was pleasantly surprised yesterday to find two jack in the pulpits growing along with them that I know were never there before. Must have come along with a geranium or were seeded by one of our many wild critters.

Posted by: Becky - Monticello-Montissippi Park
on: 2017-06-05 00:24:08

There are lots of Jacks growing in the wooded area of Montissippi park down near the boat landing & fishing pier. There are lots of wet-ish wooded areas a ways back from the parking area near the river with hiking/walking (and deer!) trails, and in the areas close to the water in those woods are probably hundreds of Jack in the Pulpit plants. They were blooming when i walked out there a couple weeks ago.

Posted by: Cecile - Silver Creek township, Lake County
on: 2017-06-06 16:41:00

Several Jack plants growing in the woods along the East Split Rock River.

Posted by: Del S - Oakdale - just east of the Twin Cities
on: 2017-08-11 20:33:42

Discovered the unusual cluster of berries and photographed it today at the Oakdale Nature Center on Hadley Avenue - on the South trail that winds from the parking lot by the old school house. I had never seen this before - it is very brightly colored - green, yellow, orangesand red berries. Wish I could post the photo here. Thanks for your website - I was having trouble identifying it until I saw your photo in a Google search for "orange berries on the end of a stalk".

Posted by: Sybel - Minnetonka MN, by Minnehaha Creek.
on: 2018-05-21 11:31:46

Found in the woods by Minnehaha Creek.....fabulous!

Posted by: Laura Hedlund - Eagan, mn
on: 2018-05-21 19:27:00

We had one or two before but this year we have about ten. Should I weed around them? If I wait until dormant should I transplant to other areas of the yard?

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2018-05-21 19:32:54

Yes, wait until plants are dormant before moving around.

Posted by: Nancy J - New Prague Scott Co.
on: 2018-05-25 10:35:56

I found 2 clusters of Jack-in-the Pulpit in my yard. I didn't plant them. How did they get there? Thanks...a nice surprise

Posted by: Joseph C - Dakota County
on: 2018-06-06 09:47:02

I found them in my back yard in a lightly forested area. Nice to find something I didn't plant that is not invasive or obnoxious

Posted by: Susan S - Far west Duluth and Jay Cooke Park
on: 2018-06-07 11:34:29

This spring I am seeing many jack-in-the-pulpits on the high wooded hills along the St. Louis River - seems like more than last spring.

Posted by: Karen D - Mahtomedi
on: 2018-07-09 07:04:58

Wonderful site! I found my first one this year. No flower, just a green cluster on one stem and 3 leaves on the other. When transplanting the seed pod cluster, do you break it up and spread the seeds inside or just bury the whole thing? It will take forever to get an abundance of them doing the latter so I had to ask.

Posted by: Sam Brungardt - St. Paul (Ramsey County)
on: 2018-07-11 08:48:19

I got my start of jack-in-the-pulpit from a friend here in St. Paul who had a bed of them on the north side of his home. One fall we dug up several corms and I planted them among some hostas in the shade along the east side of my home. They have multiplied greatly and I now have moved some to the north side of the house where they also thrive. Each fall I pick the mature flower clusters and share them with anyone who'd like a start. I pick the berries from the clusters and plant them barely covered in groups of 2 or 3 wherever I want some plants. The next spring I always have lots of seedlings. Last year I did not pick all the ripe clusters and found many seedlings where the berries had dropped to the ground later in autumn. This wildflower loves it along the north and east sides of my house where hostas, martagon lilies, and bleeding hearts also thrive.

Posted by: Kathy F. - Buse Township, Otter Tail County
on: 2018-08-11 08:11:53

This is another plant appeared in the moist woods behind our lake cottage after the removal of buckthorn!

Posted by: kathleen hyser - Mississippi river in Otsego MN
on: 2019-05-06 15:32:38

can I transplant trout lily on our property. Most years we have a large bed of them but this year not so many. If I transplant some when and how are the best time and way to do it.

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2019-05-06 16:04:55

Kathleen, the best time to transplant anything is when it's dormant. That goes for jack-in-the-pulpit, trout lily, shrubs, or anything else.

Posted by: Anton - Browerville
on: 2019-05-26 22:18:54

Never had them on the farm- was clearing brush today under a unknown tree with white blooms (changing to red berries in early summer) , and there she was ( yes, Female).... my very first MN Jack in the Pulpit! Since I clear brush from this exact spot annually, I am assuming it landed here via birds. They love this tree and migratory swarms will often stop here to rest. Either way, I am very happy and when I yelled, the whole family came running to see the lovely and lone Ms. Jackie.

Posted by: Beverly - Kandiyohi County
on: 2019-06-06 21:02:17

I have found many Jack in the Pulpit while digging out Buckthorn and Chokecherry. I have transplanted several and will pot up more to protect them while I continue to do more digging. They are very healthy and thriving in the thicket; so I am hoping the replanting won't hurt them.

Posted by: Dixie - Crow Wing County
on: 2019-06-12 17:14:12

Lot's of Jack in the Pulpit in the woods behind the house, they are in good company with Yellow Lady Slippers.

Posted by: Michael W - St. Paul-Eastside
on: 2019-06-25 09:53:08

We had these in a garden when we moved on the Eastside of St. Paul. After we took a tree down, they are thriving! They are still shaded from the east. They are actually holding their own (with my help) against some aggressive tiger lilies. SO cool to see. What a perfect example of the parent giving its life for her offspring as the plant dies back leaving the incredible red berries to live on.

Posted by: Anita J Hall - Bloomington
on: 2019-07-06 22:21:54

We have many in our side yard, beneath the canopy of some mature trees. Once I cut ties with the yard service which was fertilizing and mowing our yard, they started appearing and each year I see more. In the fall I blow the leaves from our yard into this area so the soil has a good topping of humus which they seem to like.

Posted by: Judy Carlsen - New Brighton
on: 2019-08-03 14:14:48

My Iowa farmer father occasionally brought home a Jack in the Pulpit to show me and my siblings. I was very surprised 2 years ago to find one in my raspberry patch. Later my neighbors said they had planted some between our yards. This year I hope to try planting them on the north side of the house.

Posted by: CaseyLea Clayton - Lakeville
on: 2019-09-08 20:09:44

We have an abundance of these in our east woods. would moving some of these plants into the yard this time of year be beneficial? Or should I just collect berries and plant them where desired. Thank you in advance.

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2019-09-08 20:43:21

CaseyLea, as with any plant, the best time to move it is when it's dormant. If fruit is mature it's probably safe.

Posted by: Kathy & Doug Wood - Stearns county north of Sartell in our woods along the Zmiss
on: 2020-02-13 03:12:49

Have many of these... one almost 3 feet tall!

Posted by: Ron Johannsen - Trenton Lake So. Central Mn.
on: 2020-05-03 19:02:56

Many starting to bloom, May 3rd

Posted by: Emily Barnes - St Paul
on: 2020-05-13 16:08:36

We saw Jack in the Pulpit in the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom at Como Park! At first, I really wanted to dissect it a lot. It was a really interesting flower. I didn't even know flowers had genders, until now. *thumbs up!* -Lucia, age 8

Posted by: Raphaella Kessler - Crepeau Nature Preserve, Arden Hills, MN
on: 2020-05-16 14:49:35

-small, singular Jack-in-the-Pulpit; near the Dellwood Ave. entrance to Crepeau Nature Preserve; 13 May 2020

Posted by: Holly Anderson - Plymouth, MN
on: 2020-05-19 18:56:59

We have a great number of these that sprang up this year in our back yard, which is shady and often wet. So exciting!

Posted by: Renee McRaith - Southeast corner of Meeker County
on: 2020-05-20 11:21:07

Found about a half dozen plants on the edge of a shady path through our woods

Posted by: Stacey Koehnen - Woodbury, MN
on: 2020-05-27 20:36:32

My sister found on eo nmy property at the begining of the month. Since then, (Now that i know what they are and look like) I have have found more than 10 plants. One of them was 3 feet high with multiple flowers.

Posted by: Cindy - Brooklyn Park
on: 2020-05-28 17:00:50

I found a strange plant with red berries last year in our yard and transplanted it to my perennial patch. It is thriving and there are a number of new shoots with two JIP. I like where it is but am worried about it becoming invasive. I will enjoy it this summer and then consider moving it this fall. I am all for native plants!

Posted by: Brent A. - Lakeville
on: 2020-05-29 00:30:43

Been on the same property since 1984 having left much of the back undisturbed(not excavated) except a couple of footpaths(1 to a small pond_1 to a leaf/stick pile) through the trees. My Mom favored the 2 or 3 of these plants initially discovered but seems they've really multiplied the last 15yrs or so to the point that they have lost their novelty...NOT! I like their interesting form & various shades of green w/stripes & spots. Fun to see how big they get year after year. Sure glad we chose to leave as much of the lot to nature as we did as it provides endless wonder and entertainment w/continuous animal activity as well as the assortment of native vegetation that doesn't need mowing. It's like our own private nature reserve. Locations like this, unfortunately, are not appreciated as they should be. An expanse of uniform grass is so boring and sterile.

Posted by: Raphaella Kessler - Crepeau Nature Preserve, Arden Hills, MN
on: 2020-09-16 13:27:14

-small, singular Jack-in-the-Pulpit; near the Dellwood Ave. entrance to Crepeau Nature Preserve; 13 May 2020

Posted by: Paul henjum - Apple Valley
on: 2020-12-29 08:19:07

This is a variable species, with the inside hoods and stems being anywhere from all green to striped purple to all purple. It used to be very common in Apple Valley. The only thing I would like to add to all the other reports is that there used to be a giant form that grew where they put in 35E in Burnsville. It grew over three and half feet tall and had corms that were 5 inches or wider. The inflorescences were reduced in size, and it rarely sets seeds. I saved a few plants, but this species is highly susceptible to rust, and lost them - but it apparently crossed with some of its neighbors, so there are still some larger plants around the yard but not nearly the same size.

Posted by: Andrew A Karl - SLP
on: 2021-04-08 20:40:08

I have several Jack in the Pulpets in my garden and they grow well, but in early spring I find several corms laying on the ground with no root structure. Anyone know what is going on ? Do I replant 6" deep or just cover with dirt/mulch ?

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2021-04-08 21:13:39

Andrew, it is possible squirrels or some other critter digs up the corms. Try replanting.

Posted by: Casey - Minnetonka
on: 2021-05-22 15:12:38

Just found a couple plants in my backyard. This is our first spring in this house, so I'm not sure how long they've been here.

Posted by: Casey - Minnetonka
on: 2021-05-26 12:08:15

Just found a couple plants in my backyard. This is our first spring in this house, so I'm not sure how long they've been here.

Posted by: Mark S - Lake Rebecca regional park by Delano
on: 2021-05-26 22:43:37

Took a walk on the walking trail. Spotted dozens of plants. First time noticing them.

Posted by: Stacy - Minnetonka
on: 2021-06-01 15:45:20

My mom noticed several Jack in the pulpit on the north wooded edge of property and noticed they have spread or multiplied over the last couple years!

Posted by: Ellen S. - Hennepin Co.
on: 2021-08-01 17:42:06

These plants started sprouting up some years ago in our shady back yard. I've helped them spread by throwing the little red fruits all over the place (not bothering to plant them). Those big leaves are pretty.

Posted by: Carrie Gustafson - Plymouth
on: 2022-05-10 19:40:01

Pervasive in our wooded lot

Posted by: Suzanne Larson - Plymouth
on: 2022-06-07 11:23:18

Just spotted one along the Plymouth Northwest Greenway, east of Lawndale Avenue, across the pedestrian walkway and into the old growth forest. It was exciting to see one there and I hope in years to come there will bemany more.

Posted by: Tim Golden - Duluth
on: 2022-10-26 22:30:00

I had two plants emerge from a panted garden of hastas four years ago. They have turned into four plants. I harvest the seeds and plant them in the same area. I think I have a few seedlings starting but they can be difficult to identify when little and get covered by the hastas quickly. I am not a Gardner, so tips on starting them indoors would be appreciated.

Posted by: Nicholas Molenaar - Seven Oaks Oval, Minneapolis 05-12-2023
on: 2023-05-13 11:15:13

I had lived in Idaho since 1984. My wife and I moved back to Minnesota in the middle of this past winter. Seeing these plants again after so many years warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes.

Posted by: Sara - Rice County/ SE corner of Lower Carleton Arbotetum
on: 2023-05-23 06:31:23

My son's sharp eye found a 5-leaf jack in the pulpit while we were participating in a garlic-mustard pull. Each stalk had 2 extra leaves. To be sure we located the "pitcher" shaped bloom. I wish that I had counted the stems, as there were more than 2 and this is difficult to discern from the photo.

Posted by: Calvin - Winona
on: 2023-06-01 07:59:11

We find lots of these plants in our garden and under the trees on our homestead. They appear to be very common in town and throughout the county. We restored an abandoned garden that have been overrun with weeds, and the "jacks" readily colonize any available spot. For some reason, they seem to be associated with stinkhorns in our partular garden. Or v/v?

Posted by: Linda J - Douglas County
on: 2023-06-04 13:04:46

Came upon many of these flowering plants on one of the paths at Rune Stone Park in Kensington, early June. There were also some trillium, which have similar leaves.

Posted by: Edith Lueke - Rochester
on: 2023-06-11 01:37:02

I have found these along a service berry hedge and also behind my fire pit in my yard. Last year was the first year I saw some, now this year there were more.

Posted by: Ron Johannsen - Freeborn Trenton Lake
on: 2024-05-19 18:01:34

Thousands of Jacks, but why so large this year, maybe because of last years drought? 3 feet tall and stems 1+ in. diameter. Also prolific with them, sweet cicely.

Posted by: Bev D - Palisade, MN
on: 2024-05-23 09:07:05

We have a beautiful Jack-in-the-Pulpit on our woodland trail. It seems especially healthy this year - I assume due to the abundance of moisture. Thank you for this great website and the information provided!

Posted by: Dan Miesle - Grand Rapids
on: 2024-06-11 22:38:45

Live on a shaded lot with 60+ ft red pines and other trees. This year the Jack in Pulpits are amazing. Several 2' tall and dozens of plants. Drought last year and really not much rain this year here so amazed . We enjoy as a special spring

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