Bloodroot

This spring ephemeral is one of the earliest plants to flower, prized for its beautiful white blossoms and distinctive foliage, as well as its ability to create an early groundcover. It is also an important early season pollen source for bees.

The fragrant flowers appear first, opening in full sun and closing at night. As the flowers fade, the leaves of the plant unfurl and seed pods develop. The seeds are dispersed by ants who carry them off to their nests as food. The plant also spreads by rhizome forming dense colonies. As a spring ephemeral the plant goes dormant in mid-summer until the following year.

The plant is an important early pollen source for Mason and Carpenter bees as well as other small pollinators. Note deer may feed on the plant in early spring

Bloodroot is found the length of eastern North America from Nova Scotia to Florida, and west to the Great Lakes primarily in wooded areas, floodplains and along shaded streams and shorelines.

The rhizomes of Bloodroot grow just below the surface and a bright red sap which is the source of its common and Latin name – sanguinarius meaning “bloody”. The sap was used by some Native American tribes as a dye for baskets and clothing, as well as an insect repellant.

Other common names for Bloodroot include Canada puccoon, bloodwort, redroot, red puccoon, and black paste.