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Overview
Arisaema sikokianum are tuberous perennials of moist shaded to partially shaded areas.
They are grown for their unusually shaped 'flower head'. The flowers are tiny and born on a club-like white spadix that is surrounded by a showy deep purple bract (spathe) with a white throat. Hence the name Jack in the Pulpit.
Each flowers stem bears two compound leaves made up of three leaflets with the flower at the tip. Although they do not produce many flower stems the large trifoliate leaves give the plant a somewhat bushy appearance.
These are plants are great for spring time gardens, especially shaded borders and woodland settings. Use with other shade loving plants like Hosta
Soil: Moist well drained humus rich soil. Will take acid soils so can be grown with Rhododendrons and other acid loving plants.
Maintenance: Keep the soil moist during the growing season. During winter they will require little watering as the tubers can rot if the soil is to moist.
During the summer little offsets 'pups' are produced by the main plant, these can be left or removed in late summer and replanted. Eventually the plants will become too dense and will need dividing - this should be done in autumn.
Mulch well in winter.
Diseases: Main damage caused by slugs.
Toxicity: While this plant is mildly toxic to humans, it can be very poisonous for dogs, cats, horses and other animals.
Every part of this plant from leaf to stems and roots are toxic since it contains insoluble oxalate crystals, similar to other plants in the Araceae family.
If the sap gets into eyes it may cause redness, pain, burning and swelling.
If any part of the plant is consumed the crystals released can irritate the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, causing discomfort to the throat, and burning pain to the stomach.
Treat with milk or icy poles - symptoms usually diminish over time naturally.
Author: Bob Saunders.