Jack in the pulpit, Indian turnip
Arisaema triphyllum

Family: Araceae

What it is like

A tuber plant. It grows 15-60 cm high. It has round tubers. There can be 1-3 leaves. These have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are pointed and 8-15 cm long. The flowers appear below the leaves. The bract around the flower is green or dark red and it can be striped. It is 10-15 cm long. It is hooded and curves inwards at the edges. The fleshy fruit stalk is club shaped. it can be 7 cm long. The fruit are berries which show up distinctly.

There are about 150-170 Arisaema species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in light shade. They can tolerate cold. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, Europe, France, Germany, North America, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The tubers (corms) are used to produce a very fine flour like arrowroot. They are sliced, dried and stored to reduce the acridity then made into flour. Caution: Like all Araceae family the plant contains calcium oxalate and needs special processing.

Edible parts

Root, corm

How it is grown

It is grown from corms. These are dormant in the winter. Plants can be grown from fresh seed.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Arisaema atrorubens (Ait.) Blume;