Arisaema triphyllum -Schott.-
Indian turnip, jack-in-the-pulpit


Entry Type: Species

Species Name: Arisaema triphyllum -Schott.-

Common Name: Indian turnip, jack-in-the-pulpit

Myaamia Name: wiihkapesia

Description:

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Spring

Harvest Comments:

Habitats: Oak Forest including Oak-Hickory, Beech-Oak-Maple Mixed Mesophytic, Conifer Shrubland and Forest

Uses: Food, Medicinal

Locations: Undetermined

Sources

Rafert, S. 1992

Reference Type: Use - Medicinal

Archival Data:

The root is used as an emetic, and made into a tea used for treating asthma.

Comments: N/A

Blair, E 1911

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

"That which they call wĭ́kopaísĭa meaning "bear's roots",  an actual poison if eaten raw, but they cut it in very thin slices, and cook it in an oven during three days and three nights, thus by heat they cause the acrid substance which renders it poisonous to evaporate in steam, and it then becomes what is commonly called cassava root".                                                                                                                 

Comments: Poisonous raw – Michael Gonella

Blair, E 1911

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

"The "oven" mentioned was a hole dug in the ground, and heated by a fire in it, after which it was cleaned out, filled with food, and covered over. Further mention of its use is made in connection with the wild onion".

Comments: N/A

Tippman, D. 1999

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

A neighbor taught Jim Strack that if you use the bulb from the jack-in-the-pulpit, grind it a bit and put it in the horseradish, it will make it so strong that just a bit on your tongue would make your tongue burn.

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

"This is a good description of the Indian turnip (Arisaema triphyllum), but the Miamis call it wikópaisĭa, which does not mean bear's root".

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. 1919

Reference Type: Use - Medicine

Archival Data:

"wicapisia, root for guarding themselves from death from serpents that they fear. The bulb is white, and rises out of the ground. The stem is a foot high, the leaves of four ribs (or on four sides), and a little red button on top".

Comments: Unclear if the Dunn 1919 record is describing this particular species. – Michael Gonella

Gleason, H.A. and Cronquist, A. 1991

Reference Type: Habitat

Archival Data :

Occurs in moist rich woods or bogs throughout eastern and western Myaamia lands.

Comments: N/A

Dunn, J.P. 1919

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

Perrot said the meaning of the Myaamia word for this plant was bear's root, but he probably confused the meaning of the Myaamia word for this plant with the meaning of macopine, which would literally mean bear root. The Myaamia no longer used the word macopin for this plant in 1919, but did so in Perrot's time (1700s).

Comments: N/A

Legends

  • L.: L. stands for Carl Linneaus, a Swedish botanist and zoologist living from 1707 - 1778, who formed the binomial nomenclature system for scientific naming of species (the two part name). His initial after a scientific name indicates he was the authority for that species name.
  • sp.: Indicates the actual species name cannot or need not be specified. Example: Lilium sp. indicates a single species in the genus Lilium that is not known or does not need to be specified.
  • spp.: (plural) indicates "several species", two or more species of the given genus. Example: Lilium spp. indicates 2 or more species in the genus that cannot or do not need to be distinguished.
  • Use - Unknown: A record for this plant exists but does not include explicit information about the plant's cultural use. It is probable the Myaamia used the plant.
  • Botanical Sources: Sources of any botanical data for this plant species that is not related to its cultural use or significance.
  • Related Sources: Data indirectly related to Myaamia ethnobotany, including non-Myaamia uses of the plant in contemporary and historic times.
  • Myaamia Archival Sources: All records of plant use obtained directly from a Myaamia tribal member in an interview, recorded by a second party or by self-recording.
  • Undetermined (Plant Use): There exists use or other information about a certain, unknown plant species, but the specific species has not yet been determined.
  • Medicinal: For the purposes of this database, medicinal uses of plants and medicinal knowledge are defined as: Commonly held communal knowledge regarding the use of plant-based substances that aid in maintaining a healthy mind, body or spirit, including tonics and teas.
  • Technology: For the purposes of this database, technological uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in the making of food processing, canoes, rafts, dyes, tools, utensils, weapons, hunting and fishing gear (i.e. net, weir, etc.), cordage, string, rope, fodder plant species, firewood, any plants used in trade, etc.
  • Material: For the purposes of this database, material uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in construction of dwellings (floor mats, roofing, side walls), furniture, baskets, storage items, musical instruments, games, crafts, jewelry, cordage used in crafts, etc.
  • Food: For the purposes of this database, food uses of plants are defined as: Plants used as consumed food, spices and seasonings, but not teas or tonics.
  • Customs: For the purposes of this database, customary uses of plants are defined as: Plants involved in a customary ceremony, ritual or traditional event, including ritual smoking, chewing tobacco, war rituals, special mats used to sit on during ceremonies. Customary uses of plants, in this database, does not including plants used for recreation (material), structures where ceremonies take place (material) or medicinal smoking (medicinal).
  • Eastern Myaamia Lands: Eastern Myaamia lands (eastern myaamionki) are centered around northern Indiana, and including western Ohio, eastern Illinois, southern Michigan, and the northernmost portions of Kentucky.
  • Western Myaamia Lands: Western Myaamia lands (western myaamionki) include western Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma.