The Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema), often called an Indian turnip, is a common sight in the wild throughout most of the central and eastern United States.
Its distinctive green and maroon-striped spathe surround a fleshy, maroon spadix that bears tiny, embedded flowers.
Birds like thrushes and rodents find the plant’s bright red berries an attractive food source.
With its unusual flowers, 3-parted leaves, and showy fruits, the Jack-in-the-Pulpit is a terrific addition to any shaded native plant garden.
Some of the Jack-in-the-Pulpit common names are:
- Indian turnip
- Black Jack
- Japanese Cobra Lilly
- Whipcord Cobra Lily
- Green dragon or Dragon-root
Quick Facts On Jack-in-the-Pulpit
- Family: Arum
- Light: Partial sun, shade
- Temperature: Easy to grow in Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7
- Water: Light, occasional watering
- Fertilizer: Slightly acidic
- Propagation: Division and seeds
- Common Problems: Slugs
Arisaema Care
How Big Do Arisaema Plants Grow?
Jack-in-the-Pulpit commonly grows from 1′ to 3′ feet tall.
When Does Jack-in-the-Pulpit Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Most species of Jack-in-the-Pulpit flower in the spring. The flowers do have a fragrant that often attracts flies.
What Are The Lighting Needs and Temperature Requirements?
All species of Arisaema sikokianum thrive in both shade and partial sunlight.
How And When To Water Arisaema?
You only need to water these plants occasionally.
What Is The Best Soil For Jack-in-the-Pulpit And When Should You Transplant
Plant them in slightly acidic soil, evenly moist soil, and well-drained soil, which has been enriched with peat moss, compost, or any other decayed organic material at the time of planting to get the best results.
Does Arisaema Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
It is easy to grow Jack-in-the-pulpit flowers, but caring for them is more manageable.
Moist and organically rich soil is essential for the plant’s survival.
Before planting, add a lot of compost to the soil. Then, fertilize each year with more compost.
How To Propagate Arisaema aka Indian Turnip?
Here are the steps for planting Indian turnip seeds (berries).
Because seeds are fragile and can lose viability if left to dry out, they must be cleaned immediately after being collected.
Once collected:
- Seeds can then be separated by washing them in a strainer and picking out large particles.
- Put cold, moist stratification for 60 to 90 days after cleaning.
- Mix the seeds with an equal amount of moist perlite to be stored in a Ziploc bag or Rubbermaid container.
I have also found that ripe berries can easily be sprinkled directly onto the soil at a restoration site, where there are high germination rates.
The seedlings will form a corm and a few whorls of leaflets during the first year.
However, because the seedlings only produce a corm and not a root-tight connector, it is essential to handle them carefully when they are being extracted from their containers.
To transplant mature plants, dig a 6-inch hole and then place the corm root side down in the hole.
These plants are temporary, as they die back after they bloom and have stored enough energy for the next season.
When this happens, you can fill in the gaps with annuals.
Jack-in-the-Pulpit Pests And Diseases
Although the species is generally pest- and disease-free, slugs can occasionally nibble at the stems. It is also resistant to rabbits and deer.
Jack-in-the-pulpit plants are rarely bothered by diseases or insects but are very attractive to slugs.
Unfortunately, slugs are no friend to any gardener and are most destructive to this plant.
Some ways to deter slugs are:
- Place a small container or bowl filled with beer close to the Jack-in-the-Pulpit to stop slugs from damaging the plants. Slugs will crawl into the container and drown because they can’t resist the beer smell.
- Maintain a tidy landscape. Slugs love to live under leaves and other plant debris where it’s moist and pleasant.
- Create barriers. Diatomaceous earth, eggshells, grits, gravels, and pine needles will create barriers that slugs can’t climb over to get to your Jack-in-the-pulpit plants.
Is Arisaema Considered Toxic Or Poisonous To People, Kids, And Pets?
The leaves and fruit of the Jack-in-the-Pulpit contain calcium oxide, which is known to cause irritations and even block airways.
You must wear gloves when collecting red berries or cleaning them.
It is important to remember that the whole plant has a high toxic profile and should be treated with caution.
Its roots are the most affected by calcium oxalate and can cause severe symptoms.
Is The Jack-in-the Pulpit Considered Invasive?
Although the Jack-in-the Pulpit can reproduce vegetatively and sexually, it is not considered an invasive species.
Mature corms do spread underground to form large networks.
However, their prolonged dormancy periods prevent the plants from competing with more robust year-round native species.
Suggested Arisaema Uses
Native Americans used the roots as a remedy and a disguised poison to their enemies.
They would either dry them, slice them, make crisps from them, or include them in powerful treatments for the following:
- Sore eyes
- Snake bites
- Rheumatism
- Bronchitis
The corms can be ground into flour and used in baking sweets if they are adequately prepared.
The taste of calcium oxalate crystals in their raw form is similar to that of peppers.
To thoroughly neutralize the crystals, it takes a long process of preparation. Even expert foragers should be wary of attempting this.
Our recommendation is to enjoy the beauty of these unusual plants while you grill something that tastes much better and is safe to eat.