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Sanguinaria canadensis Linnaeus. Common name: Bloodroot, Red Puccoon, Puccoon. Phenology: (Late Jan-) Mar-Apr; Apr-May. Habitat: Moist nutrient-rich forests. Distribution: NS west to MN and MB, south to Panhandle FL and OK.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: Fernald recognized two varieties – var. rotundifolia, more southern and the primary form in our area, considered to have leaves less lobed than the more northern var. canadensis; leaf shape variability within populations makes it impractical to recognize infraspecific taxa.

Synonymy : = Ar, C, Fl2, FNA3, G, GrPl, Il, K1, K3, K4, Mi, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WH3; > Sanguinaria canadensis L. var. canadensis – F; > Sanguinaria canadensis L. var. rotundifolia (Greene) Fedde – F, Tx

Links to other floras: = Sanguinaria canadensis - FNA3

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: UPL
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: UPL
  • Great Plains: UPL
  • Midwest: FACU
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FACU

Heliophily : 2

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image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Cressler: Sanguinaria canadensis, Georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Stemless, often colonial perennial of moist, nutrient-rich forests.

Stems: Underground stem (rhizome) sends up leaves and flower stalks in early spring.

Leaves: Leaves at first wrapped around the smooth, red-tinged stalk but soon expand to 5 in. or more wide; kidney-shaped, irregularly palmately lobed (3-9 lobes), waxy-green and wavy-margined.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers solitary on naked stalk, bright white, 1-2 in. wide, consisting of 6-12 elliptic petals surrounding a center of many yellow stamens and a single green ovary.

Fruits: Fruit an erect, waxy-green, spindle-shaped capsule that splits lengthwise.

Comments: Stem/rhizome exudes orange-red sap if broken.

Height: 6-12 in.

plant sale text: In early spring, bloodroot, a member of the poppy family, produces short-lived, snow-white flowers that open during the day and close at night. Unlike many other spring bloomers, the deeply-lobed blue-green foliage of this perennial persist in the landscape until mid- to late summer. Narrow upright seed pods hold ant dispersed seeds. Under optimal conditions this species will spread to form sizeable patches. The red sap found in the underground stems of bloodroot was used by Native Americans as a dye for baskets and clothing.

bloom table text:

description: Stemless, often colonial perennial of moist, nutrient-rich forests.

stems: Underground stem (rhizome) sends up leaves and flower stalks in early spring.

leaves: Leaves at first wrapped around the smooth, red-tinged stalk but soon expand to 5 in. or more wide; kidney-shaped, irregularly palmately lobed (3-9 lobes), waxy-green and wavy-margined.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers solitary on naked stalk, bright white, 1-2 in. wide, consisting of 6-12 elliptic petals surrounding a center of many yellow stamens and a single green ovary.

fruits: Fruit an erect, waxy-green, spindle-shaped capsule that splits lengthwise.

comments: Stem/rhizome exudes orange-red sap if broken.

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: eastern & central North America