the passing of the baton

i just learned that jack-in-the-pulpits are in the same sub-family as calla lilies.  i don’t know how i didn’t notice the family resemblance before now. jack in the pulpits are shade-tolerant woodland plants, which also includes star flower, blue bead lily, baneberry, lily of the valley, and lady slippers. with the trees now fully leafed out, these late-comers mark the end of the woodland flowers. the woodland plants have done their job well, providing the pollinators with an important early source of pollen and nectar. soon the baton gets passed to the open field and roadside flowers who will color our world for the next four months and will so lavishly provide pollen (protein) and nectar (carbohydrates) that the bees can stash enough away to survive even our northern winters. nothing in nature is accidental.

jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)