Sanguinaria canadensis

Description

Sanguinaria canadensis, or Bloodroot, is a 1 foot, woodland, spring ephemeral perennial for moist, well-drained soils in part sun to full shade. Bloodroot is native to moist woods, floodplains and slopes. Its snow-white flowers appear in early spring, but they only last a few days. Bloodroot’s beautiful, round, notched foliage lasts all summer and makes a splendid ground cover. The perennial is used as shady massing deciduous ground cover. The plant’s seed dispersal relies primarily on ants carrying away the seed and eat its rich lipid coating, making it vulnerable due to the introduction of non-native invasive ants or non-native fire ant species. Historically, parts of bloodroot were used by Native peoples to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. Today, it can be found in some cough remedies and as a homeopathic arthritis treatment.

Sanguinaria canadensis is also known as Red Root or Red Puccoon.