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Kirsten Kay

Wildflower Wednesday

This week's Wildflower Wednesday feature flower is Bloodroot.


Bloodroot is a native spring ephemeral, often one of the first flowers to pop out of the forest floor in the spring. Its white flower emerges wrapped in its single leaf, when it blooms it pushes up past the leaf. The flower only blooms for a day or two and is very fragile.


It is considered rare and at risk but if you see one there are likely others nearby.


The name Bloodroot comes from the blood-red sap that comes out of the stalk and roots when broken. Its scientific name Sanguinaria, means ‘Bleeding”. This sap was used by Native Americans to dye baskets and clothes and as body paint.


Although it was used medicinally it is poisonous if consumed and can cause skin irritation.


Cherokee legend says that carrying a piece of the root can ward off evil spirits. The Pocan tribe used it as a love charm. As a flower essence, it is used to help heal feelings of unworthiness related to family or community rejection.




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