A Poisonous Native Plant (unless you are a bear)
This Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) was transplanted from our woods here at Distant Hill Gardens, and is doing extremely well in a shade garden on the path to the swimming pond. This plant is a herbacious perennial that grows from a corm, and is native to eastern North America.
Jack-in-the-Pulpit is one of those red-berried plants that families with small children should avoid planting in their gardens. All uncooked parts of the plant are poisonous to humans. However, the corms can be eaten by humans if processed correctly, and Black Bear, who happen to love the corms of Jack-in-the-Pulpit, can eat them without a problem.
