Bloodroot – Sanguinaria canadensis

Bloodroot – Sanguinaria canadensis

 

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Spring ephemerals are starting to emerge and bloodroot or Sanguinaria canadensis is a particularly lovely one. Ephemerals take advantage of the extra light they get before the trees leaf out and shade them. Once that happens they go dormant and disappear until next spring.

Bloodroot is native to the eastern US and grows in woodland areas. Their seeds are attached to an elaiosome, which is fleshy, protein rich and irresistible to ants. Ants take the elaiosome (and the attached seed) back to their nests to feed their larvae. After the elaiosome is eaten, they move the seed to the “waste” area of their nest. The waste area is filled with ant poo, which is the perfect mulch to germinate bloodroot seeds. Nature is so cool.

In case you are wondering how such a delicate flower got such a strong name, the root of the plant is a deep red, and emits a red liquid when cut.