Sanguinaria is a genus of the family Papaveraceae. Sanguinaria canadensis is the only species in the genus. The plant is found throughout the eastern United States into eastern Canada. It grows in forested areas which have not been disturbed. Plants flower in the spring after a freezing winter dormancy. Attached to seeds are elaiosome, a fleshy body made of mostly lipids and proteins. Ants carry these particles back to their nest for food and thus spread and plant the seed simultaneously.
The common name bloodroot comes from the red sap that leaks out when the root, more technically a rhizome, is cut. Native American and modern day settlers have made use of this plant in cultural and medicinal practices. The sap is very poisonous and kills tissue, an important activity which is being investigated for anti-tumor activities.
Sanguinaria canadensis or Bloodroot is a beautiful plant with powdery blue leaves and a very clean white flower with yellow stamens. Photo taken by Nhu Nguyen April 10, 2006 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
