Specimen #47 Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Photo by me, Greenwood Park
Look while you can -- the flowers open fully only in full sun, for up to two days, then disappear until next year. I tried to choose the picture that showed a leaf and flower. The leaf has a distinct shape, and there is a very good picture of the leaf at the Illinois Wildflowers website. This particular site had the smallest bloodroots I have ever seen -- 2.5" high. I remember them being more like 6" high. I am unsure what determines the size. It may be the age of the plant or the location.
About the name: One year, I got the 'puppy face' from the girls, so we pulled up a root. It dripped red juice. That was the first and last time we ever looked at the root in person. You can go here for pictures of the root. Also from that site,
"Poisonous, red-orange juice in the roots was used by Native Americans as a dye for war paint, clothing, and baskets, and as an insect repellent."
1 comment:
I have learned so much from this blog of yours! The kids were so impressed when I could tell them about the may apples out back on our nature walk yesterday!
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