Sanguinaria canadensis

Bloodroot

[ click on any image below to see larger version ]

Family: Papaveraceae (Poppy family)

Mid-Atlantic bloom time: March - April
Mid-Atlantic fruit ripe: April - May

Bloodroot is a striking spring ephemeral - a single white flower with yellow anthers borne on a stalk with a leaf wrapped around it. It gets its name from the blood-red color of the poisonous juice of its rhizome, which can be seen when scratched or damaged.

9 April 2013 Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park, VA	6 April 2006 Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville, VA (note single leaf wrapping around flower stem)	6 April 2006 Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville, VA	6 April 2018 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA (rhizome when scratched shows red)
6 April 2014 Manassas National Battlefield Park, VA	6 April 2014 Manassas National Battlefield Park, VA	30 March 2006 Flint Hill, VA	6 April 2018 Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, Haymarket, VA
24 March 2020 Scott's Run Preserve, McLean, VA	26 April 2017 G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area, Linden, VA (ripening fruit)	26 April 2017 G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area, Linden, VA (ripening fruit)

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