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Jack in the Pulpit


Jack in the Pulpit
Photo Information
Copyright: Larry Doyle (techranger) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 202 W: 9 N: 862] (2676)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-05-20
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ20
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-05-20 14:04
Viewed: 540
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I thought I'd do something a bit different and go really macro on Jack of Jack in the Pulpit.

"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 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.

Chemical composition and medicinal uses...
The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals in all parts, and because of this consumption of the raw plant material results in a powerful burning sensation. It can cause irritation of the mouth and digestive system, and on rare occasions the swelling of the mouth and throat may be severe enough to affect breathing.

If the plant is properly dried or cooked it can be eaten as a root vegetable.

A preparation of the root was reported to have been used by Native Americans as a treatment for sore eyes. Preparations were also made to treat rheumatism, bronchitis, and snakebites, as well as to induce sterility.

History and folklore
One account from the Meskwaki Indians states that they would chop the herb's corm and mix it with meat and leave the meat out for their enemies to find. The taste of the oxalate would not be detectable because of the flavored meat, but consuming the meat reportedly caused their enemies pain and death. They also used it to determine the fate of the sick by dropping a seed in a cup of stirred water; If the seed went around four times clockwise, the patient would recover, if it went around less than four times they would not." - Wikipedia

This plant is a favorite of both my wife and I and we are always happy and excited to find it growing in the woods.

Perhaps I will post another overall shot of the plant later if I can get the angle and lighting I desire. It is rather difficult to find just the right angle to show the entire beauty and form of the plant and still get to see "Jack" inside... at least for me, but I'll keep trying.

"When it's foggy in the pulpit it's cloudy in the pew." - Cavett Robert

Taken as close as I could get, macro setting, hand-held, auto everything, PP work to appease the inner eye.
boreocypriensis, eqshannon, tuslaw, Pitoncle, anel has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Larry, a wonderful macro capture resembling an aestetic abstract! Fine composition and excellent details. Your notes are also very useful.
TFS and cheers,
Bayram

I remember these well as a child. It has been many years since I have seen one. I have not seen one in California. I have not seen one in Washington. Perhaps it is because I am not looking. This gives me something to look up. Thank you so much for all your work.
In his name
Bob

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 511 W: 20 N: 1393] (4863)
  • [2009-05-20 19:50]

Hello Larry,
This is one of my all time favorite spring plants. I didn't get any shots this year, because the ones I found weren't fully developed at the time.
Love the really close macro presentation, it gives us a whole new perspective look at an already beautiful plant!! Great job!!!
Ron

Bonjour Larry,
Très belle macro finement détaillée et délicatement colorée.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1733 W: 0 N: 3953] (15852)
  • [2009-05-21 7:13]

Hello Larry,
Amazing abstract picture with an excellent composition anf special colors. And that all just given by nature..great!
Good idea. I like a lot.
Thanks also for the interesting note. Kind regards
Anne

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