Jack In The Pulpit, Dragonroot, Indian Turnip

Arisaema triphyllum

Physical Characteristics

Arisaema triphyllum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from June to July. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Flies. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - Quebec to Louisiana and Kansas.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Tuber - it must be thoroughly dried or cooked before being eaten[2, 21, 55, 57, 95, 102]. The roots can be cut into very thin slices and allowed to dry for several months, after which they are eaten like potato chips, crumbled to make a cereal or ground into a cocoa-flavoured powder for making biscuits, cakes etc[177, 183]. They can also be pounded into a powder, this is thern left to dry for several weeks when it becomes safe to use[213]. The root is up to 5cm long and 2cm wide[4]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Acrid Antirheumatic Antiseptic Contraceptive Diaphoretic Expectorant Irritant Poultice Stimulant The root is acrid, antiseptic, diaphoretic, expectorant, irritant and stimulant[21, 46, 222, 238, 257]. It is harvested in early spring and dried for later use[4]. The fresh root is considered to be too dangerous and intensely acrid to use, whilst the dried roots become inactive, so fresh, partially dried roots are used[213]. Due to the potentially toxic nature of this plant, it should only be used internally under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[K]. The root was applied as a poultice on headaches, scrofulous sores, rheumatism, boils, abscesses and ringworm[222, 257]. A decoction of the root has been used as a wash for sore eyes[257]. The root was used as a contraceptive by the N. American Indians. One teaspoonful of the dried powdered root in cold water was said to prevent conception for a week whilst two teaspoonfuls in hot water was said to induce permanent sterility[213].

Known Hazards

The plant contains calcium oxylate crystals. These cause an extremely unpleasant sensation similar to needles being stuck into the mouth and tongue if they are eaten but they are easily neutralized by thoroughly drying or cooking the plant or by steeping it in water.