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 (1950) 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, Can, Fl2, FNA3, G, GrPl, Il, K4, Mi, Mo3, NE, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WH3; > Sanguinaria canadensis L. var. canadensis — F; > Sanguinaria canadensis L. var. rotundifolia (Greene) Fedde — F, Tx. Basionym: Sanguinaria canadensis L. 1753
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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© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Sanguinaria canadensis, Georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
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
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