Jack-in-the-pulpit is a curious looking wildflower, which loves the spring shade and likes damp feet.  We have a champion growing naturally every year right outside our front door, in the midst of a very healthy pachysandra bed.

– Kathie Snedeker, Gills Pier, Northport

We first noticed it maybe ten or twelve years ago; it was not very big, but has grown and grown ever since.  The unusual feature is the fact that there are nine "jacks" growing out of the one plant base, and I think there were ten last year. The plant is almost 30 inches tall, has enormous leaves and does not get watered except by the rain.  I'm wondering if anyone has ever seen this many jacks on one plant.  We have many Jack-in-the-pulpits on our property (quite far away from this one), but the most jacks on one plant that I ever see are two, almost always only one.  I do however have one plant that I transplanted about four years ago which this year has three jacks, and gets helped by the sprinkling system. 

We are always delighted and astonished all over again at this magnificent specimen, which seems to come up later than the others here.  Over the last several years it has added more and more jacks.  The red berries on the "spadix" in the fall are beautiful, but I have to stake them up.  I wonder if the fact that the pachysandra surrounds it and shades it heavily, has forced it to become stronger and bigger to compete.  Plus—where did it come from???!!!!   I would be interested in any feedback! All nine jacks can be seen in this photo.

– Kathie Snedeker, Gills Pier, Northport

P. S. Have just heard from a friend who is a local wildflower expert, and she says it's not that uncommon. It gets protection near the house, and possibly even feeds off the foundation. "Only mature jacks get berries and turn from male to female in the same plant." –It just gets more and more interesting!!!