A jack-in-the-pulpit is a diamond in the rough

By Shelley Yeager
Sun contributor
One must look closely to find it. You almost need to train your eyes to pick it out, much like finding Petoskey Stones on the beach or Morel mushrooms among the dead leaves. You must carefully observe the patterns of leaves and flowers in the woods around you. Once you have its unique pattern etched in your mind, they become relatively easy to spot. The rather elusive objective of your search is the jack-in-the-pulpit, an amazingly unusual native wildflower, not known for its beauty in the traditional sense, but impressive nonetheless.
Begin looking for jack-in-the-pulpits in moist, shady hardwood areas. The mature plant may stand anywhere from one to three feet tall on a stout, upright stem with either one or two large compound leaves. Each leaf consists of three smaller leaflets, in some ways similar to those of poison ivy. Somewhat hidden beneath the canopy of its leaves, the extraordinary flower makes its appearance in May and June. Neither showy nor colorful, the flower contains two primary components. The outer part, a purplish and green striped hood, is the “pulpit” which surrounds and drapes over the “Jack” in the center. Carefully lift up the flap to get a close look at the “Jack”, a green, fleshy, club shaped structure.

The lengthy reproductive cycle of the jack-in-the-pulpit sets it apart from the typical wildflower. A perennial, the plant may live for many years. During its first year, the plant sprouts from its seed and sends up one small simple leaf. That first leaf produces enough food that a bulb-like structure forms underground. For the next two years, the plant produces a single compound leaf while the bulb grows larger and develops plant buds. Finally, during the fourth year, the plant is able to grow two compound leaves and a flower structure.
At the base of the “Jack” the true flowers develop, very tiny and either all male or all female. The jack-in-the-pulpit relies on tiny insects for pollination, carrying pollen from the male flowers of one plant to the female flowers of another. After pollination, the “pulpit” structure withers while the fruit and seeds develop over the summer. The cluster of berries remains green until autumn when they turn a brilliant red, attracting birds and other animals to feed on the ripe fruit. The bright berries are easily noticed by humans too, although not many recognize what they are seeing. In addition to reproduction by seeds, the plant buds underground separate from the main bulb and begin to grow on their own. So, regardless of the method, either by seed or vegetatively underground, reproduction of the jack-in-the-pulpit typically requires four years.
As you walk through the woods this summer, tread lightly and look carefully for signs of this sturdy, tenacious wildflower. Find a mature specimen and then search the surrounding area further for younger plants without flowers. Do not collect them as you might Petoskey Stones or Morel mushrooms, but enjoy the thrill of the hunt. However, should you wish to cultivate jack-in-the-pulpits at home, contact the Wildflower Rescue Committee. The Committee, under the auspices of the Leelanau Conservancy, dedicates itself to rescuing wildflowers growing in the path of development. Call Patty Shea, a Committee member, at 256-9249, to see if they have any jack-in-the-pulpits for sale. Also, the Leelanau Soil Conservation District has bulbs available in the spring and in the fall.