Bloodroot @ 2012 Patty Hankins
I’ve recently added a new photo – Bloodroot – to my Beautifulflowerpictures.com website.
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is one of the earliest blooming wildflowers in the Washington DC area. A member of the Papaveraceae (poppy family), it stores energy in the bulbs over the winter so is able to bloom here in late March. The blossoms last only a day or two, so it can be a challenge finding them in good enough shape to photograph. I found this bloodroot at Turkey Run Park in Virginia this spring. Bloodroot is the only member of the poppy family native to North America – where it can be found from Nova Scotia to Florida, and as far west as Manitoba and Nebraska.
Bloodroot is known for it’s bright red juice. Native Americans used the juice for painting their faces, and as a dye for baskets and clothing. Early European settlers used it to dye wool. Medicinally, bloodroot was used as a blood purifier and to treat everything from cancer to repelling insects. Most modern herbalists recommend use of bloodroot only under medical supervision, since it can be deadly.
A recent use for bloodroot is fighting plaque. An extract from the plant, sanguinarine, when used in mouthwash and toothpaste can fight gum disease.
This photograph is available as either at 10 X 10″ or 20 X 20″ gallery-wrapped canvas. You can order Bloodroot from my website.