One of the first signs of spring I search for in my Minneasota woodlands are bloodroots, Sanguinaria canadensis. Few plants are as exciting to see in spring as the single white flowers emerging from the leaf litter. I am fortunate enough to have several native colonies of bloodroot in the maple, basswood, oak, hickory forest. Hopefully you will get a chance to see this Plant of the Month.
BOTANICAL NAME Sanguinaria canadensis
COMMON NAME Bloodroot
DESCRIPTION Native Minnesota woodland wildflower grows up to 10″ high and features white flowers with 8-10 petals. Each flower stalked emerges in early spring wrapped in one grayish-green palmate leaf. As the flower blooms its leaf unfurls. The white flower measures 2” in diameter and numerous yellow stamens clustered in the the center. All parts of the plant exude a reddish sap when cut, hence the common name.