Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Bloodroot is a Spring ephemeral flower native to eastern North America. This plant seizes the opportunity of the narrow window of sunlight between snow and shade created by the tree canopy, and of the Spring flowers, theirs are among the shortest lived. Its striking flower with delicate white petals and yellow stamens, emerges from a curled leaf that wraps around the flower bud to provide it shelter as it surfaces from the forest floor, and lasts for only a few days.

The seeds of bloodroot have a fleshy, oily appendage called an elaiosome, which is attractive to ants. Ants collect the seeds and carry them back to their nests, and once the elaiosomes are consumed, the seeds are left intact and discarded. This seed dispersal mechanism, known as myrmecochory, benefits ants by providing them nutrients, and bloodroot by aiding in seed dispersal and providing a suitable environment for germination within the ant nest. 

This plant gets its name from the red sap found in its roots, which was historically used by Indigenous peoples for various purposes, including as a dye and as a traditional medicine. Bloodroot contains alkaloids which have been studied for their anticancer effects, antimicrobial, neuroreceptor, and anti-inflammatory activities. 

Due to over-harvesting and habitat lost, bloodroot populations have declined in some areas and conservation efforts must be made to protect this valuable plant.