PlantFiles: Jack in the Pulpit, Devil's Nip, Cobra Lily, Indian Turnip, Indian Almond, Pepper Turnip
Arisaema ringens

Arisaema ringens is an Asian Arisaema
the only images above that look like they are A.ringens are the 2 by bootnall and the 1 by rcn48
the rest are most likely all Arisaema triphyllum

Dick

I have 100's of Jack in the Pulpit plants growing behind my house. Its amazing to see these fascinating plants everywhere. Sorry I dont have a picture.

Jack in the Pulpit, Devil's Nip, Cobra Lily, Indian Turnip, Indian Almond, Pepper Turnip Arisaema ringens is native to Texas and other States.

We have a ton of these growing in the small wooded area in our yard. As far as I know, they planted themselves and are on the increase year by year. They are even sending envoys out into the grassy areas in some places. I think that some of them are enjoying runoff from the huge heap of shredded leaves that we have (composter just can't keep up with them), as the ones in the area just below the compost heap are getting positively huge!

It overwintered in 2006 in my zone 5 with no protection. It came up a couple of weeks later than the native Arisaema triphyllum. I am yet to see if there will be berries.

The flower does remind the cobra, hence the name the cobra lily. However, most of the photos in the PlantFiles are wrong. So I suspect same is true about the hardiness reports.

Although these plants look 'exotic', they are really very easy to grow. Well drained soils, particularly in winter, are essential as the plant grows from a corm. You need to avoid winter wet/rot. Ours has been growing happily in unamended heavy, clay soil. Morning sun is okay for this plant, but otherwise should be grown in a shady location. After three growing seasons in our garden, this beauty is about "knee high". A. ringens multiplies more rapidly than other Arisaema species.

Have many of these growing in the woods behind the house and since I put in the shade garden under the maples they have moved into the shadier, moister area there also! They seem to be increasing every year and are fun to watch.

Arisaema triphyllium likes deep shade to shade, and hummus rich soil. It is also good to add a layer of mulch on it.They will form large groups rapidly. The pulpit will last about a week or two. The leaves can get 10 inches long. After the pulpit dies , if it is a female, you will see green berries that change to red in the fall. The females will have 2 sets of leaves, while the males will only have one.

I have had excellent success with Jack in the Pulpits in my very shaded, woody garden area...also dividing and sharing the bulbs...they thrive under my hemlocks in a cool, moist environment.

A.triphyllum is growing wild in Polk County, FL. It is a fairly common plant of the wetlands throughout the state. In central Florida, it blooms in late February and early March.

Seed may take 2 years to sprout, and plants take a few years to reach blooming size. The corms can produce offsets, thereby forming a colony. Dig corms when foliage is yellowing; they may be as deep as 12". Replant at 6" deep.

Naturally occuring mutations can result in plants that have some leaf variegation, usually darker veins or ribs, occasionally light.

Make sure gloves are worn when handling seeds: they contain toxins that can cause numbness lasting several hours to several days. Thoroughly remove all fruit pulp and rinse seed several times in clear water to remove germination-inhibiting chemicals present in the fruit.

Best way is to plant the seeds immediately they are ripe where plants are desired. Storing for later use usually requires complex dormancy-breaking techniques.

Bulbs produce offsets in most years which can be lifted and planted elsewhere.

Plants can be grown in standing water during winter/spring, but prefer to be drier when dormant in summer/fall, making them ideal candidates for spring flooded gardens.

Native to eastern north america. Each of the 2 ft leaf stalks bears three 6" leaflets. Flowering stems, usually taller than the leaves, carry a hooded spathe to 6", green or purple with white stripes (the pulpit), and green or purple spadix (jack). A common woodland plant. The name indian turnip refers to the root which contains calcium oxallate crystals that sting the tongue and throat.