Bloodroot: Sanguinarnia canadensis

Common name: Bloodroot
Genus/sp: Sanguinarnia canadensis
Family: Poppy family

Description:
perennial, 6-12"
juice of stems, roots is orange-reddish
petals 8-10, white; flowers appear before leaves
found in rich woods from Canada to Florida

Medicinal & applied vlaue:
Alkaloid: antiseptic , anesthetic and anticancer properties
Commerically used: plaque inhiting in toothpaste and mouthwashes
Toxic: yes: may cause glaucoma
Has been used as apetite stimulant ( beware is poisonous), arterial sedative;
Indians used it for cough medicines, rheumatism, asthma, lung aliments, fevers
root juice applied to warts
used as dye and skin stain

Flowering start: Early spring flowering ( noted: April 10 , 2002 for bloom above)
Location for photo: Hashawa Nature Center ( Westminster, MD)

Photos: E. Iglich/ eiglich@mcdaniel.edu