Arisaema triphyllum
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| Arisaema triphyllum L. |
Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Bog onion, Brown dragon, Indian turnip, Wake robin or Wild turnip) is a herbaceous perennial plant that can grow up to 65 cm in height. 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 a long stem; each leaflet is 8-15 cm long and 3-7 cm broad. The leaf grouping causes it to be confused by some with Poison-ivy before the flowers appear, or vice versa as Poison-ivy sometimes grows near it. The flowers are shaped irregularly and grow to a length of up to 8 cm long. They are greenish-yellow with purple or brownish stripes. The flowers have a spathe, known in this plant as "the pulpit", and contain a spadix ("Jack"), covered with tiny flowers of both sexes. The spathe curves to a broad-pointed flap over the spadix. It flowers from April to June. The fruit are smooth, shiny red berries clustered on the thickened spadix.
It is hardy to USDA plant hardiness zone 3.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] History and folklore
Some accounts of the Meskwaki Indians state that they would chop the herb's root into meat and leave it for their enemies to find. The taste would not be detectable, but consuming the meat reportedly caused their enemies sufficient pain to be fatal. They also used it to determine the fate of the sick by dropping a seed in a cup of water. If the seed went around four times clockwise, the patient would recover, otherwise they would not.[citation needed]
[edit] Warning
According to the website DrKoop.com, the oxalic acid and asparagine in jack in the pulpit are poisonous if ingested.[1] Care should also be taken to avoid confusion with poison ivy, which has leaves somewhat similar in appearance.
