“Bloodroot Could Paint the Town Red”

Bright white with a yellow center, this native spring wildflower blooms in undisturbed woodlands, flood plains, and slopes near water. The reddish sap that exudes from the plant, mainly the root, gives its name and historical purpose as paint/dye. The blossoms appear for a short time in early spring, calling early-flying pollinators, and later the leaves unfurl with their unique shape. Grows in clumps from a branching, shallow orange-colored rhizome.

While the flower pollen will attract many native bees and flies, ants are attracted to a sweet fleshy appendage on the seed and help distribute the plant. Bloodroot goes dormant by mid-summer. Historically used by Native Americans to heal respiratory and some skin ailments.

Original mixed media on raw stretched canvas with maple float frame.