MISCELLANEOUS 



at all, and the wild ginger, whose odd, unlovely flower seeks pro- 

 tection beneath its long-stemmed fuzzy leaves, and hides its 

 head upon the ground as if unwilling to challenge comparison 

 with its more brilliant brethren. Unless already familiar with 

 this plant there is nothing to tell one when it has reached its 

 flowering season ; and many a wanderer through the rocky woods 

 in early May quite overlooks its shy, shamefaced blossom. 



The ginger-like flavor of the rootstock is responsible for its 

 common name. It grows wild in many parts of Europe and is 

 cultivated in England, where at one time it was considered a 

 remedy for headache and deafness. 



JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT. INDIAN TURNIP. 

 Ariscema triphyllum. Arum Family. 



Scape. Terminated by a hood-like leaf or spathe. Leaves. Generally 

 two, each divided into three leaflets. Flowers. Small and inconspicuous, 

 packed about the lower part of the fleshy spike or spadix which is shielded 

 by the spathe. Fruit. A bright scarlet berry which is packed upon the 

 spadix with many others. 

 . 



These quaint little preachers, ensconced in their delicate pul- 

 pits, are well known to all who love the woods in early spring. 

 Sometimes these "pulpits" are of a light green veined with a 

 deeper tint ; again they are stained with purple. This differ- 

 ence in color has been thought to indicate the sex of the flowers 

 within the males are said to be shielded by the green, the 

 females by the purple, hoods. In the nearly allied cuckoo-pints 

 of England, matters appear to be reversed : these plants are called 

 "Lords and Ladies" by the children, the purple-tinged ones 

 ~^L being the "Lords," the light green ones the "Ladies." The 

 generic name, Ariscema, signifies bloody arum, and refers to 

 the dark purple stains of the spathe. An old legend claims that 

 these were received at the Crucifixion : 



Beneath the cross it grew ; 

 And in the vase-like hollow of the leaf, 

 Catching from that dread shower of agony 

 A few mysterious drops, transmitted thus 

 Unto the groves and hills their healing stains, 

 A heritage, for storm or vernal shower 

 Never to blow away. 



280 





