Hi zig, Jack in the Pulpit are protected here in MN, tho I don't know why, since they grow in woods from Can to FL. I have them in my garden. We inherited them from the prvious ownwers in 1060. They grow among my clematis, common willow, hosta, impatiens,lilium, etc. receiving mostly indirect morning sun. They thrive on whatever soil was there and have never been fertilized, since we came. They have spread a little, but when they rarely decide they want in a different plants home, they pull out easily--certainly not fast enough to be invasive. Tho, I must admit with great maturity, this happens a wee bit more often-Probably pulled about 3 this year and gave to a neighbor to plant, but then I have three small patches of it. They are a perennial here in zone 4--southern MN and don't flinch at temps of -30. They grow somewhat like an umbrella on bare stems and topped with large leaves at various hts. They eventually get 18"-2'H x 18" W at the end of summer.Flowers bloom in April and May--a spathe from a single leaf, with a stalk in the middle. A leaf-hood folds over the top. A gorgeous bright red seed head about 8" x 2." Jack-in-the-Pulpit stands about 1 to 1 1/2 feet tall. The berrie show best in autumn when the rest of the foliage begins to die. I read that the fresh root can poison, even cause death. I'd be careful if your dog is a digger. I have friens who have had trouble growing. I suspect they are big on fertilizer and JP like poor soil. gramma jan

Jacks are pretty hearty. They are ephemeral and may just go dormant due to the disturbance. They may do nothing this year... but should come back just fine next year. They like moisture, rich soil, leaf mulch and shade.

My understanding is there are many variations on the single species tryphyllum. Some taxonomists/botonists even classify them as three distinct species or subspecies with many different variations within the three A. atrorubens, A. triphyllum, and A. stewardsonii some even use another A. quinatum to encompass triphyllum and atrorubens into a single ssp. Triphyllum also supposedly hybridizes naturally in some places with A. dracontium, I'd like to see one of these. Whatever the taxonomy there are many different color variants. Sounds like you have stewardsonii which is a more northern variant. A VERY nice plant.

Congratulations! Isn't it great to discover treasures in the woods!! Esh is correct; they do fine in pots for a while. I have even grown them from seed in pots...have some that need to be repotted right now because they have outgrown the original containers. Last week on a rescue I found the biggest Jack I had ever seen...about three feet tall with a spread of at least 24"! Yes, I brought it home...a big shame if the bulldozers got that one. Now, let's just hope it comes back as big as it is right now. Another comment/question: At this rescue there were yellow, green, and maroon blooms on the Jacks. Does anyone know why the variation?