Hooded pulpit flower, three leaflets, clusters of red berries. Calcium oxalate — do not eat raw.

A single stalk with one or two three-part leaves. The flower is a striped spathe (pulpit) wrapping a spadix (Jack). Late summer: tight club of scarlet berries.

Habitat

Rich, damp woods.

Season

April–June flower; berries August–September.

Size

1–2 ft

Field marks

Three leaflets; hooded pulpit; red berry club

Raw corm burns the mouth badly. Traditional ‘Indian turnip’ required long drying — not a starvation shortcut.