Editing Polemonium reptans (section)

== Description ==
Jacob's ladder grows {{convert|50|cm}} tall, with pinnate [[leaf|leaves]] up to {{convert|20|cm|0}} long with 5–13 leaflets. The leaves and flower stems grow from a vertical [[crown (botany)|crown]] with abundant [[fibrous root]]s.<ref name="illinois" /><!-- on root system -->

The [[flower]]s are produced in [[panicle]]s on weak stems from mid to late spring. They are 1.3&nbsp;cm ({{frac|1|2}} in) long and have five light blue-violet [[petal]]s that are fused at the base, enclosed by a tubular [[calyx (flower)|calyx]] with five pointed lobes.<ref name="illinois">{{cite web | title = Jacob's Ladder | url = http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/jacob_ladder.htm| website = Illinois Wildflowers | date = 2016 | last1 = Hilty | first1 = John }}</ref> The pollen is white. The [[stigma (botany)|stigma]] extends beyond the anthers, making self-pollination difficult, so insects must [[Pollination#Mechanism|cross-pollinate]] for the plants to produce seed.<ref name="pollinators" />

Pollinated flowers develop into an oval [[capsule (botany)|pod]] with three chambers, 6&nbsp;mm ({{frac|1|2}} in) long, which is enclosed by the green calyx. The plant spreads by reseeding itself. The Latin specific epithet ''reptans'' means creeping.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Polemonium reptans - Plant Finder|url=https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=l810|access-date=2022-01-01|website=www.missouribotanicalgarden.org}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Jacob's Ladder Polemonium reptens Leaves 3008px.JPG|Leaves
File:Jacob's Ladder Polemonium reptens Flower Buds 2628px.jpg|Oval seed pods enclosed in green calyces
</gallery>