My blogging is starting to lag way behind both our photography and the season. Bloodroot is one of our earliest woodland wildflowers. Jo took this photo in mid-March.
Bloodroot is a member of the Poppy family. Its name is derived from the red juice that can be extracted from it's red-orange roots (actually rhizomes). Various medicinal and mystical properties have been associated with this juice in the past. However, since the juice is escharotic (a substance that causes tissue to die and slough off) and an incorrect internal dosage is toxic, the FDA recommends that bloodroot not be used by herbal healers.
.
I remember this flower from my Wisconsin childhood also. :)
ReplyDeleteA beautiful flower above, toxic roots below.
ReplyDeleteNice photo, Jo.
As usual wonderful photos Marvin. Both trout lily and blood root bloom here in late April of early May, depending upon when the snow cover melts and frost leaves the ground. It is impressive how many plants are native to both the Ozarks and New England even though we have such different climates! Terrific photography!
ReplyDeleteWild_Bill:www.wildramblings.com
One of my favorite flowers.
ReplyDelete