What Does a Jacob's Ladder Plant Look Like?

Size and Form

• Jacob's ladder takes the form of a clumping perennial, growing between 12 and 24 inches tall. The stems have occasional branches, and they often "sprawl" over the ground, notes Illinois Wildflowers. Their color is typically a dull shade of greenish red.

Foliage

• The compound leaves of Jacob's ladder grow opposite one another on the central stem, with up to 27 leaflets on one leaf. The odd leaflet develops at the end of the leaf. The leaflets are bright green, with a lance shape that features a sharply pointed end. Each individual leaflet is up to an inch in length, with the edges possessing a smooth appearance, lacking any serrations. The leaves grow all the way up the stems.

Flowers

• The flowers that adorn the Jacob's ladder plant in the early to mid-spring are a deep shade of blue. They resemble small, drooping bells. The five petals form a flower as wide as 3/4 inch. The stamens that protrude from the flowers are obvious, with white tips. A distinct but fine set of lines run along the entire length of the petals.

Effects From Diseases and Sun

• While Jacob's ladder suffers from few serious insect pests and few diseases, some maladies can adversely affect the appearance of the plant. One is powdery mildew, an ailment that usually occurs in some of the hot and humid climates where this wildflower grows, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Powdery mildew makes the foliage appear whitish, but it is a cosmetic problem and does not hurt the overall health of the plant. In situations where the plant receives too much sun during a hot summer, the leaves can scorch and turn brown at the tips, especially if the soil becomes too dry. As the summer wears on, the foliage often loses its original luster.