Both male and female Jack-in-the-Pulpits of my acquaintance appear to flower only when they have two leaves. Female plants are often larger. The single-leaved plants are invariably sterile. Perhaps the energy requirements for flowering require two leaves. Carol ----- Original Message ----- From: "Susan Hayward" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 10:02 AM Subject: jack-in-the-pulpit > Greetings, > A member of my wildflower class brought to my attention a discrepancy in > the literature I gave out about the sex life of the Jack-in-the-Pulpit. > In a write up from Marilyn Mollicone to JBS, 1992, she states that the > male Jacks have two leaves and the females one leaf as a rule. > In another article (Paulette Bierzychudek, Natural History Magazine, > 1982) it is stated that the males have one leaf and the females two. > So, being the curious botanist, I went into my own garden (yes, ideal > growing conditions for all my Jacks for years) and found that they all > have two leaves and that there are 3 males, 9 females, and several > single leaves with no inflorescence. > Please shed some professional light on this quandary and reply to all of > us. > Many thanks, > Susan >