Specimen record
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum
Description
A distinctive woodland perennial with a hooded green-and-purple striped spathe (the 'pulpit') sheltering a club-shaped spadix (the 'jack'). The plant produces one or two compound leaves, each divided into three leaflets. In autumn, the spathe withers to reveal a tight cluster of bright red berries. Plants can change sex from year to year depending on energy reserves.
Identification tips
- 1Green spathe with purple or brown striping arching over the spadix
- 2One or two compound leaves each with three broad leaflets
- 3Spadix (the 'jack') is a smooth club shape hidden inside the spathe
- 4Bright red berry cluster on a stalk in September–October
- 5Grows from a corm; found in moist to wet deciduous woods
Specimen & preservation notes
Slice the spathe lengthwise and flatten to show the spadix for pressing. Press leaves and spathe separately if the whole plant is too bulky. Berries can be preserved by slicing the cluster in half. Wear gloves — all parts contain calcium oxalate crystals that irritate skin.
Habitats
Collection calendar
| Wk | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
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Collection notes
Season check
Guide window is wider than observed records.
Flowering records: 641 iNaturalist observations, Massachusetts · Nearby: 1167 observations within 25 km