Re: Jack in the Pulpit

From: grsjr at juno.com (George R Stilwell, Jr.) on 1997.02.04 at 00:40:10(294) Linda, Here are the original sources: Richardson, C. & K. Clay 1995. The evolution and maintenance of sex change in Arisaema triphyllum. Am. J. of Botany, Supplement 82(6):55. Wurdack, John J. 1983. Sex and Size in Arisaema. Bulletin of the American Rock Garden Society. 41(1):9-10. Bierzychudek, Paulette. 1981. The demography of Jack-in-the-Pulpit, a forest perennial that changes sex. PhD thesis. Cornell Univ. 145 pages. I don't have a record of other papers on the subject, but these papers probably have bibliographies. It is well understood that Arisaema starts it's sex life neuter, becomes male in the second season, turns female in a couple of years if growing conditions are good. Poor conditions will cause it to revert to male and even stay dormant for a whole season, worst case. Inadequate moisture is probably the principal problem. Hopefully the references will expound upon the subject. +More You might be interested to know that some Arisaema species grow only a corm and roots the first season (no leaf appears). The second season the leaf appears and all is normal. Needless to say, many good seedlings go to the dump before people learn about this trait. By the way, John Wurdak is a member of the Arisaema Enthusiast's Group and might be very helpful. He is not on-line, so you'll have to write to him at: John Wurdack 4400 Samar St. Beltsville, MD 20705 Ray GRSJr@Juno.com

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