Sanguinaria canadensis L.

Bloodroot; Red Puccoon

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Bloodroot is a native herbaceous perennial in the Poppy family (Papaveraceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Bloodroot grows in hardwood or mixed pine/hardwood forests, in ravines, on moist slopes, and along streams. It is a perennial from a rhizome, usually producing a single stalked leaf. The leaf is glabrous, orbicular or reniform in outline, with 5-7 lobes. The lower surface of the leaf is glaucous. A single flower is produced on a stalk 3-6 inches tall. The flower has a variable number of white or pinkish petals and numerous yellow anthers. The fruit is a cylindrical capsule 1-3 inches in length containing black seed with a pale elaiosome. Bloodroot gets its common name from the presence of bright red sap in the rhizome, which is a popular natural dye. Caution should be observed when handling these plants as the sap is toxic to animal cells and can cause tissue damage. The elaiosome attached to the seed is an oil/fat filled appendage that attracts ants. The ants take the seed back to their nests where they eat the energy rich elaiosome and discard the seed in their trash heaps. This gives the germinating seedling a rich soil to begin its development on and also affords the plant some protection from herbivores by being adjacent to an ant nest. Ant dispersal of seed is known as myrmecochory. Bloodroot is a popular wildflower and is often available from native plant nurseries. It prefers a moist, organic-rich soil and partial shade. Plants can also be grown by splitting the rhizomes. Dig up plants as the leaves begin to wither in late summer. Be careful as the long thing rhizomes are easily broken. Cut the rhizomes into segments 2-3 inches in length, making sure each section has at least one bud. Treat the cut ends with a fungicide and plant in moist potting soil, covering the rhizome segments to a depth of 1 inch.—A. Diamond

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Native

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