Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Jack-in-the-Pulpit’s
unusually shaped flowers are even more unusual on the inside.
Unlike most plants whose flowers house both male parts and female
parts, Jack-in-the-Pulpit flowers are either male or female. In
case that sounds too simple, let me hasten to add that the plants do
not stick to the gender they were born with.
After a few
seasons of growth as a young plant, a Jack-in-the-Pulpit has stored
enough strength in its roots to put forth a flower. His first
flower is nearly always male, tucked down under a single leaf. In
this phase of his life, the plant has a chance of passing on his genes
by pollinating nearby female plants without too much outlay of energy
--- pollen is relatively “cheap” to produce.
In nature,
females nearly always spend more resources reproducing than males
do. Female animals have to nourish the young growing inside them
for days or months, or at least spend the energy to build big eggs full
of nutrients. Similarly, female plants have to pour their
resources into producing fats and proteins to give their seeds a chance
to grow. So it is no wonder the young Jack-in-the-Pulpit chose to
start his reproductive career as a male. A single grain of pollen
could net the plant an offspring without all of the muss and fuss of
making seeds and berries.
Another year,
or maybe several, pass now. Our Jack-in-the-Pulpit may spend some
more time as a male as he builds up energy in his roots, or he might
even skip blooming that year.
Finally, he
crosses some invisible divide and “decides” to change his gender.
Out come two leaves with a female flower nestled down between
them. The plant then pours her energy into producing a showy
spike of red berries, rich enough to tempt passing animals into
carrying them to new spots in the forest. She has not only passed
on her genes but has also sent her children out into the world to
colonize foreign lands.
In some cases,
our Jack-in-the-Pulpit may remain a female for many years. But if
a droughty summer lowers her reserves or a passing hiker transplants
her into his poor-soiled garden, she quickly reverts to her masculine
side. The next year, only one leaf appears and the flower inside
is male again. Back and forth, the plant changes its gender,
ready to cope with environmental catastrophes or take advantage of the
rich harvest from a good year. With such a flexible lifestyle, it
is no wonder Jack-in-the-Pulpit has managed to survive in our forests
for 65 million years.
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