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bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis

Bloodroot is a beautiful flower that blooms in early spring. Its white petals and bright yellow center make it stand out in the forest. The plant has a special red sap that can be used for coloring!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The bloodroot is a low-growing plant with a single, deeply lobed, pale green leaf that unfurls to cradle a single, delicate white flower. Its striking white petals often have a slightly ruffled appearance, emerging before other forest plants.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRanunculalesFamilyPapaveraceaeGenusSanguinaria
bloodroot
deciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgeshade_tolerant trait badgespring_blooming trait badge
bloodroot

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Bloodroot is an "ephemeral" plant, meaning it appears and disappears quickly each year.

Did you know its rootstock looks like a finger and oozes red liquid when cut?

Indigenous peoples once used bloodroot sap as a dye for clothing and face paint!

Its beautiful white flowers only last for a few days before their petals fall off!

Special abilities

Ability

Self-Protecting Sap

Bloodroot has bright orange-red sap that tastes bitter, deterring animals from eating its leaves and stems, helping it survive.

Ability

Ant Allies

Bloodroot produces seeds with a fatty attachment that ants love, causing them to disperse seeds to new locations, helping it reproduce.

Ability

Spring Sprint

Bloodroot can grow and flower very quickly in early spring, capturing sunlight before the forest floor becomes too shady.

Measurements & details

Height
15-30 cm
Spread
15-30 cm
Flower Size
2-5 cm
Bloom Season
Spring
Edible
No
Toxicity
High
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Carlin's Miner Bee

Andrena carlini

Visits flowers for pollen and nectar.

pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Collects pollen and nectar from flowers.

depends on

Silky Field Ant

Formica subsericea

Carries seeds away to eat fatty elaiosomes.

Traits

Also known as

Bloodroot Flower

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Do not touch or taste any plants without asking an adult first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is bloodroot?

15-30 cm

How wide does bloodroot spread?

15-30 cm

How big are the flowers on bloodroot?

2-5 cm

When does bloodroot bloom?

Spring

Is bloodroot edible?

No

Is bloodroot toxic?

High

What is bloodroot's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is bloodroot pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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