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Sanguinaria canadensis

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Photo from MoBot.


Sydenham Edwards drawing from The Botanical Magazine, 1791.


The bloody root from Fineartamerica.com.

Author: Carl Linnaeus, 1753
Family:  PAPAVERACEAE
Origin:  Eastern North America
Soil:  Rich - Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Minimum - Medium
Thickness:  4 Centimetres
Height:  25 Centimetres
Flower:  White
Propagate:  Seeds/Rhizomes
Names:  Bloodroot, Red Puccoon Root, Tetterwort, Pauson,  Indian Paint
Synonyms:  Sanguinaria australis Greene, 1905. Sanguinaria dilleniana Greene, 1905. Belharnosia canadensis, Nieuwl, 1914.
Belharnosia mesochora, Lunell
Sanguinaria acaulis, Moench
Sanguinaria grandiflora, M.Roscoe
Sanguinaria mesochora, Greene
Sanguinaria rotundifolia, Greene
Sanguinaria stenopetala, Steud.
Sanguinaria vernalis, Salisb.
Sanguinaria virginiana, Gaertn.

This member of the Papaveraceae family was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. It is found in the eastern North America, growing in the rich soil of forests, with some water and little to some sun. It will grow to 25 centimetres height, and the rhizome can grow to four centimetres in diameter. The white flowers can be enjoyed all summer.

The genera name means 'bloody' for the colour of the interior of the bulbs. The species name means 'of Canada'.


Drawing by  Britton and Brown, 1913.