My friend found this plant by her swamp. Anyone know what it is? She lives in Central Minnesota.

I think it is a Jack in the Pulpit but not positive. Maybe Botanyguy can help.

Savage Voyageur: "I think it is a Jack in the Pulpit but not positive. Maybe Botanyguy can help."

Correct

Agreed. Jack.

Thanks everyone!

Yep, check back in a few days and it'll look quite different. Saw a few fully opened here in IA a couple hours ago while looking for mushrooms.

Native Americans used the root of the jack in the pulpit as a food. I read that when I was a kid but in my usual manner neglected to read further. We were at a high school kegger and my buddy and I decided to give them a try. Per the interlinks this:

Jack-in-the-Pulpit root is used in alternative medicine and is edible (only after drying and cooking) The fresh root contains high concentrations of calcium oxalate and is considered to be too dangerous and intensely acrid to use. ... Caution is advised as ingesting the fresh root can cause poisoning and even death.

One bite into the root and our mouths were on fire. Peppers on steroids. Fortunately there was plenty of beer on hand to quench the fire in our mouths.

So don’t do what I did.

Yep, arum family and pretty much everything I have seen in that family has these raphides (calcium oxalate crystals that look like bunches of needles under the microscope). The houseplant, dumbcane (Dieffenbachia), is another example.

This plant holds a special place in my heart. I remember my Dad showing this to me when I was about 4-6 years old. We used to go to my Grandpa's timber to shoot cans and hike.

I remember my Dad telling me to look for Jack. I finally found him. Look forward to Jack's appearance every year!

Here's a shot of Jack in late April.

Yep, and there's a related species with an equally cool name: green dragon. Seems that one is more rare, but is in the midwest.

rtallent: "Yep, and there's a related species with an equally cool name: green dragon. Seems that one is more rare, but is in the midwest."

I googled Green Dragon. I will keep an eye out from now on. I don’t recall seeing that one. Are the red berries the exact same for both plants?

How about another identification? Here’s one for you. I haven’t seen it where I usually hike. I found this on a bluff and don’t know what it is.

I’ve read that jacks are quite rare- though I’m not sure if that’s true. Anyone know more?

I just happen to have a few dozen in my back lot. Always wondered if they are actually rare or not.

Grizzlyman: "I’ve read that jacks are quite rare- though I’m not sure if that’s true. Anyone know more?


I just happen to have a few dozen in my back lot. Always wondered if they are actually rare or not. "

I’ve also heard they were rare, but I had a whole lot of them in my back yard. I would try to go around them with the lawn mower.

Looks like puccoon (Lithospermum), P99, maybe hoary puccoon... I'm rusty. Nice find. Somewhat drier, open prairie remnants, I think. Per the green dragon, I've not seen it nearly so much as Jack. I wouldn't know how to tell it, without the leaves, but there may be a way... I don't think Jack is rare where we are.... (Iowa/Illinois).

Excellent!!! Thank you!!!!! That’s it!

Had to share this lovely I found today.

jwartman59: "Native Americans used the root of the jack in the pulpit as a food. I read that when I was a kid but in my usual manner neglected to read further. We were at a high school kegger and my buddy and I decided to give them a try. Per the interlinks this:


Jack-in-the-Pulpit root is used in alternative medicine and is edible (only after drying and cooking) The fresh root contains high concentrations of calcium oxalate and is considered to be too dangerous and intensely acrid to use. ... Caution is advised as ingesting the fresh root can cause poisoning and even death.


One bite into the root and our mouths were on fire. Peppers on steroids. Fortunately there was plenty of beer on hand to quench the fire in our mouths.


So don’t do what I did."

My dear Mother told my brother and I about the qualities of the Jack-in-the-Pulpit root. Being a bit of a prankster, my brother rubbed a stick of Juicy Fruit with a cut section of the root. Fortunately the juices had a reaction with the gum and I knew something was wrong....the jig was up! Not to be out done, I sliced a section of the root and inserted it into an onion.....success! He vowed revenge....It took him a couple years, but he finally got justice when he carved the root to look like a cashew and placed it on my hot fudge sundae :)…..We wisely decided to call a truce at that time.