Sanguinaria canadensis

Ephemeral spring flower with delicate white petals emerging from the center of its  curled leaf

Sanguinaria canadensis bloodroot

Plant grows in the wild/spontaneouslyPlant is native to PA Add to MyPlants

Short-lived (ephemeral), fragile spring wildflower with a solitary cuplike white flower with yellow center.  Leaf and flower each develop on separate stems arising from a branching rhizome, and the large, lobed leaf wraps around the flower bud until the flower opens and rises above the leaf.  The plant juice is orange-red.

Common in rich woods, rocky slopes, roadside banks and floodplains.  Prefers part to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.

Present throughout the state, except a couple norther counties.

Range: From Quebec south to Florida and Texas and west to Kansas.

Wetland codes
EMP: UPL
NCNE: FACU



Flowers April through early May.

Flowers  solitary, white (rarely pinkish), anthers golden-yellow

Leaves  solitary, pale green, basal, shallow 3 to 9 lobes, broadly reniform, 8″ long 12″ wide at maturity

Flowering Stem  glabrous, 2-6″

Rhizome  orange-red, branching

Fruit  narrowly elliptic, glabrous, 1-2″ long

Height  2 to 6″

S-rank:  S5 (Secure)
G-rank:  G5 (Secure)

Sanguinaria canadensis bloodroot

Plant grows in the wild/spontaneouslyPlant is native to PA
Sanguinaria canadensis gallery
Plant Life-Form
Common Names
bloodroot red puccoon Indian paint redroot