General poisoning notes:

Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) is a native plant found in wet soils in parts of eastern Canada. The plant contains calcium oxalate raphide crystals, as do many other members of the family Araceae. When ingested, these crystals can cause severe pain and burning in the lips, mouth, and throat (Lampe and McCann 1985).

References:

Lampe, K. F., McCann, M. A. 1985. AMA Handbook of poisonous and injurious plants. American Medical Assoc. Chicago, Ill., USA. 432 pp.

Muenscher, W. C. 1975. Poisonous plants of the United States. Revised. Collier Books, New York, N.Y., USA. 277 pp.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Arisaema triphyllum (L.) Torr.
 

Vernacular name(s): Jack-in-the-pulpit

Scientific family name: Araceae

Vernacular family name: arum

Go to ITIS*^ca for more taxonomic information on: Arisaema triphyllum

References:

Agriculture Quebec. 1975. Noms des maladies des plantes du Canada/ Names of plant diseases in Canada. , Quebec City, Que., Canada. 288 pp.

Alex, J. F., Cayouette, R., Mulligan, G. A. 1980. Common and botanical names of weeds in Canada/Noms populaire et scientifiques des plantes nuisibles du Canada. Revised. Agric. Can. Publ., Ottawa, Ont., Canada. 132 pp.

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Scoggan, H. J. 1978, 1979. The flora of Canada. Nat. Mus. Nat. Sci. (Ottawa) Publ. Bot. 7(1)-7(4). 1711 pp.

Van Wijk, H. L. 1911. A dictionary of plant names. Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, The Netherlands. 1444 pp.

Victorin, M. 1964. Flore Laurentienne. 2nd ed. Univ. Montreal, Montreal, Que., Canada. 952 pp.

Geographic Information

Manitoba
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
 

References:

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Boivin, B. 1966, 1967. Énumération des plantes du Canada. Provencheria 6. Nat. Can. (Que.) 93: 253-274; 371-437; 583-646; 989-1063. 94: 131-157; 471-528; 625-655.

Image or illustration

Jack-in-the-pulpit:

Images: images.google.com

Toxic parts:

all parts
rhizome
 

References:

Lampe, K. F., McCann, M. A. 1985. AMA Handbook of poisonous and injurious plants. American Medical Assoc. Chicago, Ill., USA. 432 pp.

Toxic plant chemicals:

oxalate
 

References:

Lampe, K. F., McCann, M. A. 1985. AMA Handbook of poisonous and injurious plants. American Medical Assoc. Chicago, Ill., USA. 432 pp.

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

salivation
 

Notes on poisoning:

Ingesting Jack-in-the-pulpit causes a burning sensation, with associated inflammation, edema, and salivation. Treatment includes cool liquids held in the mouth to provide relief. The oxalates are insoluble and do not cause systemic poisoning in plants (Lampe and McCann 1985).

References:

Lampe, K. F., McCann, M. A. 1985. AMA Handbook of poisonous and injurious plants. American Medical Assoc. Chicago, Ill., USA. 432 pp.