Fragile Bloodroot
Which is the earliest of our New Eng- land wild flowers to bloom in the Spring? Many follow each other so closely, that it is hard to tell, but certainly in our part of Massachusetts it is the bloodroot, unless we count the skunk cabbage which hardly seems like a wild flower.
The bloodroot, Sanguinaria eanath:n8is. is one of our loveliest and most elusive wild flowers that may be here today and gone tomorrow. We may have been watching for it for some time when, after one day of warm Spring sunshine, we come across a clump in full bloom. Perhaps the very next day a cold wind will come tearing through the woods, and the delicate white petals will be scattered far and wide.
Bloodroot, an curly Spring adventurer
When the solitary, erect bud pushes through the earth it is protected by a papery sheath that enfolds a silvery-green leaf. The deeply notched leaves unfold to form a cloak, which tops the seed vessel, after the golden centered flower has disappeared. If you injure the plant anywhere, and somewhat to your surprise see an orange-red juice flow, you will understand how the flower got its name. Another common name is “Indian paint,” as the Indians valued it for war paint.
Bloodroot is not a difficult plant to grow. Deep, moist soil in lightly shaded woodland is what it prefers. Like so many wild flowers it takes time to become established, but thereafter it seeds freely. We have a path in the woods where all the plants are self-sown. There bloodroot, trout lily, jack-in-the-pulpit, wild geranium, jewel-weed and, of course, ferns join to make a complete ground cover.
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