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Arisaema triphyllum - (image 1 of 8)

Taxonomy

Family: Araceae

Habitat

Woods, thickets, swamps

Associates

Distribution

Nova Scotia west to ND, south to FL and TX.

Morphology

Perennial to 1.5 m in large specimens but usually much smaller. Leaves trifoliate, 1-2; leaflets acuminate. Dioecious. Spathe green to purple-brown, often striped, abruptly accuminate, arching over the spadix; spadix cylindrical or slightly clavate. Fruit a cluster of red berries.

Notes

Flowers April to July

Wetland Indicator: Facultative Wetland -

Also called Indian Turnip, the roots (corms) are edible if dried. Drying is required to break down calcium oxalate crystals which cause a severe burning sensation when ingested.

References

Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.
The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY

Peterson, L. A. 1977. A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and central North America.

Houghton Mifflin Company. New York, NY

Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.

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