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Jack-in-the-pulpit seed pod


Jack-in-the-pulpit seed pod
Photo Information
Copyright: Ron Warner (tuslaw) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 511 W: 20 N: 1393] (4863)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-08-22
Categories: Flowers
Exposure: f/20.0, 1/1.25 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-08-25 19:44
Viewed: 291
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Rosie and I were hiking in the woods last weekend and came upon this pretty pod of seeds. I didn't know what type of plant they were from, because the leaves were all wilted up and unrecognizable.

I'm convinced that one of the neatest things about being a member of TN. is that others are usually willing to help you with any photo identity problems you have. I have enlisted the help of many members in the past, but one person I can always count on is John Denk, who helped me identify this particular plant.

Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Bog onion, Brown dragon, Indian turnip, Wake robin or Wild turnip) is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a corm. It is a highly variable species typically growing from 30 to 65 cm in height with three parted leaves and flowers contained in a spadix that is covered by a hood. It is native to eastern North America, occurring in moist woodlands and thickets from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota, and south to southern Florida.

The leaves are trifoliate, with groups of three leaves growing together at the top of one long stem produced from a corm; each leaflet is 8-15 cm long and 3-7 cm broad. Plants are sometimes confused with Poison-ivy especially before the flowers appear or non-flowering plants. The inflorescences are shaped irregularly and grow to a length of up to 8 cm long. They are greenish-yellow with purple or brownish stripes. The spathe, known in this plant as "the pulpit" wraps around and covers over and contain a spadix ("Jack"), covered with tiny flowers of both sexes. The flowers are unisexual, in small plants most if not all the flowers are male, as plants age and grow larger the spadix produces more female flowers. This species flowers from April to June. The fruit are smooth, shiny green, 1 cm wide berries clustered on the thickened spadix. The fruits ripen in late summer and fall, turning a bright red color before the plants go dormant. Each berry produces 1 to 5 seeds typically, the seeds are white to light tan in color, rounded, often with flattened edges and a short sharp point at the top and a rounded bottom surface. If the seeds are freed from the berry they will germinate the next spring, producing a plant with a single rounded leaf. Seedlings need three or more years of growth before they become large enough to flower. In addition the plant is not self pollinating since the male flowers on a specific plant have already matured and died before the female flowers of that same plant are mature. So the female flowers need to be pollinated by the male flowers of a different plant. This inhibits inbreeding and contributes to the health of the species.
Info from: Wikipedia: The free encyclopedia.
jpdenk, jaycee, eqshannon has marked this note useful
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To jpdenk: jACK-IN-THE-PULPITtuslaw 1 08-27 18:45
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Ron,

That's a really attractive image, the colors all work well together, nicely composed and good sharpness too.

Thanks for the props, always glad to help.

John

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-08-28 15:56]

Hi Ron,

I've always heard of the Jack-in-the-Pulpit but never knew what it was or what it looked like. I seem to learn at least one new thing every day on TN. There would be no way to walk by this and not take notice. Great shot showing the wonderful colors and fine details. It stands out so well against the natural setting. If I should ever see one I will surely recognize it. TFS.

Jane

Agreed on all counts Ron...and not only a good photo but words of notation from your own self....loving it here in the west...and missing home.
Bob

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