code: 830
In autumn, bright, ornamental scarlet berries appear
Family: Araceae
Common name: Lords and Ladies, Jack in the Pulpit
Plant Classification: Hardy perennial
Minimum Height: 30 cm
Maximum Height: 38 cm
Packet Content(approx.): 10
Much loved by children, this flower consists of a purple spadix protruding from a pale yellow spathe. In autumn, bright, ornamental scarlet berries appear.
Sowing advice:
For best results, sow seeds as soon as you receive them in a cool place onto a good soil-based compost. Cover the seeds with fine grit or compost to approximately their own depth. These seeds can be very slow indeed to germinate, and as a rule they wait for spring before emerging whenever they are sown. Please be very patient, and do not discard the seed pan, no matter how long it takes for germination to occur.
Habitat:
It grows in woodland areas and riversides. It can occasionally grow as a weed in partly shaded spots.
Uses:
The root of the cuckoo-pint, when roasted well, is edible and when ground was once traded under the name of Portland sago. It was used like salep (orchid flour) to make saloop — a drink popular before the introduction of tea or coffee. It was also used as a substitute for arrowroot.
