A photo essay starting at the end and evolving backwards.

Clusters of berries that have been partially eaten, perhaps by birds that will spread the seeds to new areas:

Beautiful ripe berries:

Because there are berries, these two plants were female.

But get this: next year, both of these same plants will probably be male! Jack-in-the-pulpits change sex depending on how much energy they have stored. Producing berries takes a lot of energy, so usually the next year they’re male.

Family photo of four blooming jacks under their tall, umbrella-like leaves. I assume the two plants on the right are male, though I didn’t know to check while they were blooming. Next year I will look more closely!

Stretching their leaves open:

Unfurling:

Just getting started:

About this flower

• Arisaema triphyllum, jack-in-the-pulpit (MinnesotaWildflowers.info)
• Jack-in-the-pulpit, or is that Jill? (Northern Woodlands)