Jack-in-the-Pulpit or Indian Turnip (_Arisæma triphyllum_) is the most
abundant and the best-known representative of this genus. In moist woods
you will find Jack, represented by the spadix, looking out at you from
his pulpit, represented by the spathe of the flower. The spathe is light
green, more or less striped with brown, especially on the inside; the
spadix is also green and has the tiny flowers clustered about its base.
The large solid roots are very acrid and fiery to the taste, but are said
to have been relished by the Indians. Usually two, thrice-compounded
leaves spread shelteringly on long stems over the flower spathe. Large
clusters of bright berries remain after the leaves have withered. Flowers
throughout U. S. from April to July.
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(A) Water Arum (_Calla palustris_) is our only representative of its
genus. It is quite a common plant in cool bogs, where it grows from six
inches to a foot in height. The beautiful dark green heart-shaped leaves
stand above the water on long petioles. A beautiful, waxy-white,
spreading spathe is often mistaken for the flower. The true flowers are
small and perfect, clustered at the end of a yellow spadix. The flowering
season is in June. You may find this plant commonly in cool bogs from N.
J. and Mo. northward.
(B) Golden Club (_Orontium aquaticum_) is also our only member of its
genus. As you will see by the opposite picture, there is no protective
spathe for the golden floral club.
The florets are complete, having six sepals and stamens; they are set
closely on the swollen spadix and attract many flies and even water
snails that cross-fertilize them simply by crawling over the clubs.
The leaves of the Golden Club are pointed oblong in shape, floating on
the surface of the water by means of long stems from the perennial
rootstalk. Flowers in May from Mass. to Fla. and westward.
[Illustration: ]