This colorful green flower, two to four inches long, is striped with maroon when growing in good light. The true flower is enclosed in the spathe, which forms the "pulpit." The spathe eventually withers, exposing the scarlet berry-like seeds. The stalk is from one to two feet tall and appears from March to June.

     This plant does especially well along streams and in bogs. Empty the entire contents of the package into a hole about three inches deep. Some varieties may not grow and bloom until the second season.