Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis

Bloodroot is a native wildflower with white petals and a bright orange-red sap that blooms in early spring.

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Bloodroot flowers bloom from their leafy stems.
Bloodroot flowers bloom from March to April from a smooth stalk with a leafy base, and get their name from the orange-red sap produced at the root. (Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program)

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Appearance

Bloodroot flowers are often bright white (although sometimes very light pink) with yellow stamens and a light green pistil. The plant flowers in March and April from a smooth stalk with a leafy base that possesses an orange-red sap at the root.

Reproduction and life cycle

After pollination, the flowers are followed by a two-part capsule under the protection of its leaves with seed pods, each with a row of 10-15 seeds. When they are ripe, the pods split open and scatter seeds which contain a packet of food called elaiosomes which are attractive to ants. The seeds are dispersed and planted after the ants eat the elaiosome.

Did you know?

  • Bloodroot produces pollen, but not nectar as many of the insects that prefer nectar are not yet active at the time bloodroot is blooming.

  • Each bloodroot flower is only open for about three days, closing at night and on rainy days to protect the pollen inside.

  • Bloodroot sap is often used as a natural red or yellow-orange dye.

Sources and additional information

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