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Indian-turnip

Arisaema triphyllum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Arisaema triphyllum, or Jack-in-the-pulpit, blooms in May and June in moist woodland settings, thriving in part shade to full shade with medium to wet soil.

Indian-turnip (Arisaema triphyllum)
Photo: (c) Jason Hollinger, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Indian-turnip is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Indian-turnip is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a slight level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

6"–18" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 33 more states

Pollinators

beetles, flies

Deer

Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)

Before you buy

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Indian-turnip is a unique woodland wildflower that produces distinctive hooded flowers in spring followed by clusters of bright red berries in fall. This shade-loving native grows from an underground corm and goes completely dormant by midsummer, disappearing until the following spring.

Growing Indian-turnip

Grow Indian-turnip in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 6 to 18 inches tall and spread 4 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Indian-turnip takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Goes completely dormant by midsummer leaving bare spots
  • Unusual appearance may seem too wild or weedy
  • Very brief above-ground presence limits landscape impact

Wildlife value

The unusual flowers attract beetles and flies for pollination. The bright red berries provide food for birds and small mammals in late summer.

Common questions

When does Arisaema triphyllum bloom?
Arisaema triphyllum typically flowers in May and June, producing a hooded green to purple-striped spathe wrapped around a central spadix.
What growing conditions does Jack-in-the-pulpit need?
It does best in part sun to full shade with consistently moist, humus-rich soil, and it can tolerate wetter conditions such as seasonally damp woodland floors.
What insects pollinate Arisaema triphyllum?
Small flies are the main pollinators, entering the chamber formed by the spathe, and beetles also visit the flowers and can move pollen between plants.
Is Arisaema triphyllum suitable for a shaded garden bed?
Yes, its preference for part shade to full shade and steady soil moisture makes it a good fit for woodland gardens and shaded borders.
Is Indian-turnip toxic to dogs?
Yes. Indian-turnip is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Indian-turnip toxic to cats?
Yes. Indian-turnip is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Indian-turnip toxic to livestock?
Indian-turnip is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (slight severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
Is Indian-turnip HOA-friendly?
Indian-turnip takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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