Bloodroot (Red Puccoon, Indian
Paint, Tetterwort)
Sanguinaria canadensis
Family: Papaveraceae
Herbaceous perennial. Native to the moist woodlands of Eastern
U.S. and Canada. Bloodroot is a delicate and beautiful woodland plant
of the Poppy family. The sap of the plant, especially abundant in
the rhizome (the root), is bright red and loaded with the alkaloid sanguinarine;
an expectorant and anti-cancer. Cultivation: Extra care.
Plant in forest bed or shade garden at a spacing of two inches between
seeds and 12 inches between rows. Seeds tend to germinate soon after sowing,
but do not emerge vegetatively until the following spring. Allow to grow
at close spacing for a full summer or two before transplanting in the fall
to 6 inches apart. Prefers moist, humusy soil and shade. Flowers
white to 6 inches.
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