Planting and Growing the Bloodroot

The bloodroot is from the poppy family of plants and is native to the United States. It is botanically called Sanguinaria canadensis.

Bloodroot Description

Leaves are simple and large, getting about a foot high. Flowers are on stems, reaching about 10 inches tall. Flowers are white and solitary, fixed to a smooth stalk. The white flowers have a gold-orange center. Stems and roots have a red-orange juice that is acrid. Flowers open in the sun and close in the evening. Bloom season is between March and April.

Growing Guide

This native grows well in partial shade and full shade lighting conditions. Soil should be moist or wet and nearly neutral in pH. Propagate by seed or by rhizome division. If doing division, you must wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly because of the toxic principles. Seeds should not dry out.

Distribution

This native is found in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. It is seen in floodplain woods and deciduous uplands.

Warnings

The rhizomes are poisonous in the bloodroot, and could be fatal upon ingesting. It contains Isoquinoline alkaloids.

Uses

First Nations people used the red juice from the stem underground to make a dye. This dye was used to color baskets and clothing. It also made a type of insect repellent. Today, we use this as a good tree base plant or as a ground cover.

Source: NPIN