Bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis

Family Papaveraceae

Brief Description: White flower that is quadrangular in shape, 1-2 inches wide. Leaves up to 8 inches wide at maturity, 3-9 lobed. Appropriately named because the plant's sap is red.

Blooms in April.

Geographic Range: From Nova Scotia to Ontario and Manitoba, south to Florida and Oklahoma.

Habitat: Found in rich woods with well drained soil.

Propagation: Collect capsules just before they split; to find out if the capsules are ready, pinch a swollen capsule and collect if the seeds are brown or darkening. Until the capsules split open, keep them in a plastic bag with a handful of moist soil to keep them from drying out; keep cool and out of the sun. When the capsules split, sow the seed/soil mixture one-half inch deep in a shaded bed of loose, humus-rich soil. Look for seedlings the following spring; some plants will produce flowers two years after sowing.

Garden Use: Shade or woodland gardens. Flowers benefit from a yearly application of mulch and fertilizer; can be planted fairly close together and will produce a wonderful bloom.

Historic Uses: Used as a cure for jaundice; to quell the bite of a rattle-snake; makes a good bitter beer; Indians used as a red paint; part of a medicine to prevent bilious fever, and to treat subacute and chronic bronchitis.