Bloodroot

Sanguinaria Canadensis– The word sanguinaria is from the latin -sanguis- which means blood. This refers to the 'blood red' juice that oozes from the rhizome or stem if broken. Even if one 'picks' a flower, they will come away with red fingers. Picking the flowers isn't recommended as the juice of Bloodroot can cause a skin reaction similar to poison ivy. This potent  juice will stain and has a long history of use by Native Americans as both a dye for baskets, weapons and clothing as well as a facial paint when mixed with animal fat. The common name, Bloodroot, is pretty obvious–breaking the root causes it to “bleed”.

In northern Arkansas, Sanguinaria canadensis appear with their leaf wrapped buds in March. We often see flowers by mid March, although in mild winters, flowers may be seen as early as late February. The blooming period is usually over by the end of March, but occasionally extends into the first days of April. The flowers close each night and will re-open the next morning depending on temperature and sunlight. Flowers remain closed If the temperature is below 46 degrees Fº. On cloudy days, Bloodroot reduces the number of hours the flower is open, opening later and closing earlier.

Individual flowers don't last long. I’ve read they are open for just one day, but this isn’t usually the case. An individual flower often lasts several days, depending on when (or if) the flowers are cross-pollinated.

Bloodroot flowers don't offer pollen for the first few hours they are open. They still attract pollinators with their colorful stigma and style. The goal is to be cross-pollinated (pollinated with pollen from another plant) and delay self-pollination. Cross-pollination allows for genetic variation which is important to increase diversity. It relies on insects, wind, water or other animals to transfer pollen from one plant to another. Bloodroot flowers stay open up to 3 days awaiting cross-pollination. If it doesn't occur by then, the plant will often self pollinate. On day three, the stamens will gradually move inward toward the style, eventually touching it and releasing pollen directly onto the stigma, thus pollinating the flower. Once pollination has occurred by either cross or self pollination, the petals quickly begin to drop.

Although the flower of an individual plant is fleeting, the overall colony will have flowers blooming for a period of about 4 weeks.

Bloodroot petals are snow white with bright yellow stamens. The flower is big for the tiny plant, about 1.5 to 3 inches across with as many as 16 sparkly white petals. The prominent green pistil is topped with pale yellow stigma.

The leaf tip emerges from the ground tightly entwined around the developing bud. Its still quite cool in the woodland and the curled leaf acts like a warm shawl covering the bud. Soon the stem grows taller, pushing the bud above its leafy shawl, which is still wrapped around the plant. When the flower unfurls, the leaf begins to open.

Bloodroots are easy to identify. When in bloom, there’s nothing else as snow white and sparkly on the forest floor.

Each flower remainq open up to three days. Gradually the petals drop and you'll see them lying on the brown leaves around the plant.

After blooming, Sanguinaria canadensis continues to stand out just as much, if not more because of the huge, unique leaf. The leaf is multi-lobed, deeply veined and continues to enlarge after the petals fall. Each leaf may grow as broad as 8 inches across.

The seed pod develops gradually becoming plump and lumpy as the seeds enlarge and mature.

The leaf continues to grow and soon there are many huge single leaves covering the woodland flower. Its a stunningly beautiful site to see.

The primary pollinators of Bloodroot are Mining bees (Andrena spp.) and Sweat bees (Lasioglossum family). Other bees that may visit the flowers for the pollen (Bloodroot flowers don't offer nectar) include Metallic green sweat bees (Halictus spp.). Flies are considered secondary pollinators and are especially important when the temperature drops below 55 degrees, as bees are less active when it is so cool.

Butterflies occasionally visit the flowers seeking nectar, which is absent from Bloodroot flowers. They don't interact with sexual parts of the flower, and hence, are not pollinators.

The preferred habitat of Sanguinaria canadensis is rich, mesic to somewhat dry and rocky woods. Colonies are often found growing on slopes and near streams. It's light requirements vary from shade to partial sun. On Ozarkedge, they grow in open woods on north and west facing slopes. They seem to especially like rocky sites. Here’s an example of one growing up against the rocks.

Sanguinaria canadensis is native to the eastern half of the United States and Canada. Natureserve shows it is Critically Imperiled in Texas, Imperiled in Louisiana and Vulnerable in Kansas. It is Apparently Secure in Mississippi, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, New Jersey and New York and Secure in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.

Native Americans used the red juice from the roots of Bloodroot for a dye. It was also used in small doses to treat fever and rheumatism. Other uses by Native Americans included treating ringworm and skin infections. Consuming the juice or any part of Bloodroot is not recommended ,as it can be toxic.

A charming use of the red juice of Bloodroot was as a 'love charm'. The men of the Ponca tribe would rub the red juice on their hands and conspire to touch hands with their desired mate. It was said that she would consent to marriage within 6 days.

Bloodroot can be started from seed but currently, seed is not commonly available. It can also be propagated by dividing the rhizomes in early spring or fall. Collecting seed from the plant can be tricky because the seed pods split open, expelling the seeds when ripe. To collect seeds, it's usually necessary to place a pouch of some type around the developing seed pod.

Bloodroot seeds have an appendage called an elaiosome. Ants seek out the seeds for this nutritious food source. They will collect the seeds and take them to their nest. They eat the elaiosome and discard the rest, dispersing the seed. This beneficial relationship between seeds and ants is called myrmecochory.