Tag Archives: Arisaema triphyllum

Autumn’s berries

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Even though the temperatures still get into the 70s, summer is fading fast; autumn is now bursting with color. As I walk through the woods, the green undergrowth that was full of colorful flowers in the spring is now mostly green with bright red berries randomly peeking through. It is always thrilling for me to come upon the fruits of spring’s flowers. Most people focus on the obvious change in leaves, but it’s the tiny red orbs hidden along the forest floor that remind me it is autumn.

It is always exciting to come across Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) whether it is in bloom or fruiting. It’s hard to miss its bright red cluster of berries.

Fruiting Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Fruiting Jack-in-the-Pulpit

During the spring, this one looks very similar to Solomon’s seal but now with the red berries hanging at the end of its stem, it is clearly not. Some call it False Solomon’s Seal but I prefer Showy Solomon’s Seal (Smilacina racemosa) a much more provocative and deserving moniker.

Fruiting Showy Solomon Seal

Fruiting Showy Solomon Seal

I love the way Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) carpets the forest floor. Repens is Latin for creeping, which speaks to its non-climbing vine. Ruffed grouse enjoy the berries, hence the name Partridgeberry. The red berries are edible but rather tasteless, although good as a snack while hiking along the trail.

Patridgeberry

Patridgeberry

What reminds you of autumn? Please share and I will continue to share.

Look what I found!

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Every time I venture into the woods, I am treated to something new.

Herb Robert

Herb Robert

I’ve seen this little pink beauty, Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum); every year but always have a hard time recalling its name. I’ve never researched much about it. When I started to explore this plant, I came across many different names for it – bloodwort, Robert Geranium, cuckoo’s eye, death-come-quickly, stinking Robert, stinky Bob, which it gets from an unpleasant odor that the bruised leaves give off. This little plant is known to effectively treat tumor diseases, as well as manage to halt or even cure some cancers such as ovarian cancer, intestinal cancer and stomach, breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cysts, ovarian, polycystic, leukemia along with successfully treating tuberculosis, radiation poisoning, ulcers, hematuria, impotence, and sterility. Wow, I won’t ever forget this little beauty’s name again.

Forget-Me-Not

Forget-Me-Not

No matter how often I see Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis scorpiodes), it thrills me. When you look close at the delicate periwinkle flowers, there is a little yellow center. There are many stories written about its name but my favorite one is a German legend about when God was naming all the plants, a tiny unnamed one cried out, “Forget-me-not, O Lord!” God replied, “That shall be your name.”

Foamflower

Foamflower

Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia), whose Latin name is rather interesting. Tiarella, the plant’s genus name, comes from the Greek word tiara.  Originally, this meant “turban” a reference to the shape of the plant’s fruit or referring to the shape of the flower’s pistil that resembled a turban.  The species name cordifolia means “heart-leaved” and is a reference to the shape of its leaves.  However, when I look at the leaves, they resemble rounded maple leaves rather than a heart to me.

Jack-in-the-PulpitWho doesn’t love to come upon Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)? Like Skunk Cabbage, its flower (Jack) is protected by a spathe (pulpit). The plant emits a fungal smell that attracts insects to the flower. The design of the plant is very useful for pollination. The shape of the “pulpit” or spathe keeps insects confined and ensures pollination occurs. I can’t wait to come across it again when the berries are ripe and bright scarlet red.

All information is shared for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition.