Jack-in-the Pulpit

Today i walked the woodland trail at Allens Neck portion of the Allens Pond Mass Audubon Sanctuary. They day was warm, sunny and there was many birds around. The Ferns were taking over the marshy area and multiple flowers were blooming including Lady Slippers. The Jack-in the Pulpit is an interesting plant and because it contains oxalic acid can be poisonous. However if the plant is properly dried or cooked it can be eaten as a root vegetable.

A preparation of the root was reported to have been used by Native Americans as a treatment for sore eyes. Preparations were also made to treat rheumatism, bronchitis, and snakebites, as well as to induce sterility.