Bloodroot – Sanguinaria canadensis

 

Nomenclature:

  • Sanguinaria canadensis
  • Family: (Papaveraceae)

 

Botany and Ecology:

·        Habitat: rich woods, deciduous forests and coves with fertile soils, semi-shaded lightly wooded areas.  Moist, well drained, humus-type acidic soils (pH 5.5 to 6.5). 

·        Height: 6-12 inches

·        Flower size: 1-1/2 inches wide

·        Flower color: white

·        Flowering time: March to May

·        Often seen collected simultaneously with American ginseng, Jack-in-the-pulpit, mayapple and trillium.

·        Propagation: 

o       Rhizome division:  Can be done in spring or fall, cut the root into 2 inch long vertical sections, plant the rhizome deep enough that 1-2 inches of soil covers it; then apply 3 inches of mulch (hardwood shreds or leaf litter)

o       Seed:  Seeds mature mid to late spring and are contained in seed pods, if the seeds are not collected then seedlings will sprout around the parent plant.  Seeds can be directly sown into the ground, 1-2 inches apart and ¼ inch deep. Cover with 2 inches of mulch.  Germination will occur the following year; most will not emerge until the second spring.  Once rhizomes are developed transplant them to their permanent beds. 

·        Distribution:

o       United States: AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV

o       Canada: MB, NB, NS, ON, QC

Uses:

·        Harvesting: 

o       Bloodroot is ready to be harvested after 6 years of growth, in the fall or spring.  Spadefork is used best for hand digging, but a ginseng digger or potatoes digger can be used for large scale collection.  Clean the roots with water and dry in a well ventilated area at 95°F for 4 to 7 days.  The roots will dry down to 25% of its fresh weight.  Store dried roots in a cool, dark dry place for up to 2 years.

·        Medicinal:

o       Treats fevers and rheumatism

o       Root can be used as a local anaesthetic, diuretic, sedative, stimulant, and a cathartic

o       Use should be monitored by a physician as the root is toxic and consuming too much can lead to a depressed central nervous system

o       Externally the root can be used for skin diseases, nasal polyps, and warts

·        Other:

o       Red dye

o       Insect repellant

Conservation:

·        Conservation status: Secure - At present, this species is demonstrably secure, given it’s extremely broad distribution and the sheer number of populations.

·        http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Sanguinaria+canadensis+. [Date Accessed: July 9, 2008].

 

Markets and Vendors:

·        Big Dipper Farm. [n.d.]. Sanguinaria canadensis. http://www.bigdipperfarm.com/cgi-bin/searchstuff.pl?Botanical=Sanguinaria. [Date Accessed: July 9, 2008].

 

Sources: