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Arisaema triphyllum (Jack in the Pulpit)

Jack in the Pulpit, Bloody Arum, Bog Onion, Brown Dragon, Indian Turnip, American Wake Robin, Wild Turnip, Starchwort, Preacher in a Pulpit, Arisaema atrorubens

Arisaema triphyllum, Jack in the Pulpit, Bloody Arum, Bog Onion, Brown Dragon, Indian Turnip, American Wake Robin, Wild Turnip, Starchwort, Preacher in a Pulpit, Shade perennial, Shade flowers

Arisaema triphyllum (Jack in the Pulpit) is a charming tuberous perennial boasting some of the most curious flowers in the plant kingdom. The blossoms consist of a deep purple to green spathe (hood), adorned with a few purple stripes, that conceals a spadix (jack) covered with tiny green to purple flowers. They bloom for a couple of weeks from mid to late spring, although the spadix and spathe remain attractive for a longer period of time. This spring woodland wildflower bears two large, glossy leaves divided into three leaflets, which rise at the top of their own stems. Native to eastern North America, Arisaema triphyllum is noted for its ability to change gender. Starting out bearing male flowers only on the spadix, the plant spontaneously changes to female the next year and vice versa. Clustered on the spadix, smooth, shiny green berries ripen in mid to late summer and turn a bright red color, attracting birds and mammals before the plants go dormant. A most satisfying plant for the woodland garden, it is easy to grow, requires very little care, and produces new tubers in abundance. The entire plant contains crystals of calcium oxalate and is poisonous.

  • Grows up to 1-2 ft. tall (30-60 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm).
  • Easily grown in fertile, humus-rich, medium to wet soils in partial shade to full shade. Appreciates a generous application of leaf mulch in the fall.
  • Best left undisturbed in the shady woodland garden, wild garden or native plant garden. Plant in groups of a dozen or more.
  • Virtually disease and pest free, Jack in the Pulpit is also deer-resistant.
  • Propagate by root division or seed. Seedlings need three or more years of growth before they become large enough to flower.
  • Native to eastern North America

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Araceae
Genus Arisaema
Common names Cobra Lily
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, South Dakota, Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Arisaema consanguineum (Himalayan Cobra Lily)
Arisaema sikokianum (Japanese Cobra Lily)
Arisaema griffithii (Griffith’s Cobra Lily)
Arisaema thunbergii subsp. urashima (Japanese Cobra Lily)
Arisaema candidissimum (Chinese Cobra Lily)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Araceae
Genus Arisaema
Common names Cobra Lily
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, South Dakota, Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Arisaema to pick?
Compare Now

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