Arisaema triphyllum, commonly called jack-in-the-pulpit, is an unusual forest wildflower native to much of eastern North America. Each leaf emerges from the ground singly, and each leaf consists of three leaflets. The flower is a spadix hidden under a hood. In its first years, the flower is male, then switches to female as it grows larger and gains more energy. It may switch back to male when under stress.
Jack-in-the-pulpit is easily mistaken for a trillium when not in flower. Trilliums also have three leaflets, but their leaflets are spread out more evenly. Jack-in-the-pulpit has a roughly 90° angle between the central leaflet and the lateral leaflets.
Status | native |
---|---|
Habitat | Forest |
Color | brown, green, maroon |
Blooms in | spring, summer |