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Bloodroot

Classification:

Family: Papaveraceae, poppy family
Genus species: Sanguinaria canadensis

Leaves:
One lobed leaf surrounds the flower stalk.

Flowers:
Flower is 1 inch wide, showy, with white petals and yellow reproductive parts. Flowers are pollinated by small bees and flies. Flowers are produced during early spring, in early to mid-April.

Fruit:
Fruit is an elongated green pod.

Seeds:
Seeds are round, black or orange-red in color. Seeds are dispersed by ants.

Roots:
Rhizome and stem contain orange-red sap, hence the name "bloodroot."

Common Uses and Interesting Facts:
Extracts from stem and root are toxic, contain alkaloids.

More Information:

The genus name, Sanguinaria, is from the Latin for "blood"

Photos: