The Indian Turnip

Indian Turnip (Arisaema triphyllum) is of the Arum family and is truly. an odd Perennial. The three-parted leaves and hooded cup beneath are attractive and interesting to Nature students.

Usually it attains a height of two feet if the soil is fertile and damp. The flowers appear in May and June. The fruit when matured is of a scarlet color and reminds one of popcorn. The Indians boiled the roots and used them for food. The roots are also medicinal, being classed as Expectorant. Diaphoretic, and Acrid. . Indian turnip is often listed as Dragon Root and Jack-in-the-Pul’pit. This odd plant is becoming popular as a house-plant.

This unusual plant is a shade lover and deserves a little space in that Herb Garden. Seemingly, it likes the company of Bearsfoot, Mayapple, Ladyslipper, etc.

Are you planning an Herb Garden? If so, here is a tip: the U. S. Department a Agriculture issued a Bulletin (Farmers’ Bulletin No. 663) entitled Drug Plants Under Cultivation. This bulletin is quite interesting and instructive to anyone who wants to know more about the cultivation and harvesting of Drug Plants. Probably your Congressman would obtain the bulletin for you.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, April 1st, 2010 at 5:48 am and is filed under General Interest. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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