LucasLand

The Wildflowers

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Arisaema triphyllum

The Purdue U. Vet School

information of animals

from the link ☼
Class of signs

Signs and first aid

Prevention

A second site concerns Variations

and human Uses

taken from the link ☼

A third site deals with Medicinal

and Native American uses

taken from the link ☼

TOXICITY RATING: Low.
 

ANIMALS AFFECTED: All animals may be affected.
 

DANGEROUS PARTS OF PLANT: Bulbs, stems, possibly leaves.
 

CLASS OF SIGNS: Oral and gastric irritation, mouth and throat swelling on rare occasions may be severe enough to affect breathing.
 

PLANT DESCRIPTION: These herbaceous perennials (fig. 19) pop up in spring in Indiana woodlands. They grow 1 to 2 feet tall from a tuberous root. The large leaves are three-parted, smooth-margined, and net-veined. Each plant produces one bloom beneath the leaves on a short stalk. The "jack" is a fleshy green spike ("spadix") bearing a number of inconspicuous male and female flowers. The most noticeable part of the bloom is the "pulpit", a modified leaf ("spathe") that wraps around and hides the spadix. It may be all green or striped with red or reddish-violet. In late summer the spathe falls away, revealing a cluster of bright red berries.
 

SIGNS and FIRST AID: See the section for the Aroid discussion. Rarely is enough of this plant consumed to cause a problem, but the potential exists, especially in spring when other forages are not readily available and if the livestock have access to a wooded area. Signs are self-limiting, and a veterinarian only needs to be contacted if signs do not resolve or if breathing is affected.
 

PREVENTION: Jack-in-the-Pulpit grows in wooded, shaded areas in the spring, so limit animal access to these areas when plants begin to emerge.
 

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Variations: Both a green variety and a grey-green variety are found in our area (below). The green variety appears to be more prominent. Some texts divide the species into three varieties, the Woodland Jack-in-the-Pulpit (A. atrorubens), Swamp or Small Jack-in-the-pulpit (A. triphyllum, the generally recognized species name), and Northern Jack-in-the-Pulpit (A. stewardsonii). Because the texts disagree on classification, I have not pursued the classification beyond a single species with variations.

Comments: Jack-in-the-Pulpit is among the most commonly recognized woodland wildflowers to people willing to stoop to its height. The plant grows about a foot high, usually in large colonies of individual plants; I have never seen more than two grow together in the closest proximity. It is best found in woodland areas near swamps, though not waterlogged areas. Bottomlands are not the only areas Jack-in-the-Pulpit grows. Because it lives in ecotonic areas, it associates with a variety of plants, including Toothwort, Hepatica, Wild geranium, Bloodroot, Swamp Buttercup, and Prairie Trillium.

The name is derived from the spadix ("Jack") who sits in the spathe (the pulpit-like leaf). The spadix contains rows of black seeds (from tiny flowers) which resemble mushroom spores in appearance. The plant is not filled with water. The leaves resemble trillium leaves in appearance in that each is composed of three fleshy leaves. All are straight-veined.

Precautions & Uses: The corm is poisonous unless properly boiled. The Native Americans used to boil and eat it as food, but I would not advise it unless done under proper guidance. Klimas & Cunningham (1974) reports that crystals of calcium oxalate made the plant an ideal pepper substitute and sore throat and bronchitis pain reliever.

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MEDICINAL USES AND CHEMICAL INFORMATION:

Jack-in-the-Pulpit contains calcium oxalate crystals. These crystals are poisonous. When eaten, they stick in the mucous membranes of the mouth and cause burning, irritation, and swelling. The swelling can be severe enough to block a person's air passages.

If eaten accidentally, it is recommended that one call a poison control center, followed by a trip to the emergency room. Do not induce vomiting.

On the other hand, the calcium oxalate crystals also give Jack-in-the-Pulpit its medicinal properties. Jack-in-the-Pulpit root tea has been used as an expectorant, diaphoretic (increases perspiration), and a purgative. The roots were well aged before being used to make the tea. (Emma Kate and Christy do not recommend that you try this at home.)

NATIVE AMERICAN USES:  The Pawnee Indians ground the roots of this plant into a fine powder and dusted it onto the head and temples in order to cure headaches. Other Native Americans used it in the form of a poultice for rheumatism, boils, abscesses, and ringworm. The root was also dried, aged, and used to fight colds and coughs.