Known as a ‘Jack’, these oddly-shaped flowers are found in early spring in moist and rich forest floors. The pouch or spathe followed by the hood is commonly green with purple streaks and covers the club like spadix. These flowers are easily grown in shade gardens with enough compost or peat surrounding them. Once the flower has died bright red berries will appear and will hang from the stem for nearly the rest of the summer. It is a common but elegant native flower of Eastern North America that you may come to appreciate more if encountered or planted in your home garden.

– J. Pickering