Bloodroot in bloom

It's hard to resist taking a photo of bloodroot, especially when they've just emerged and are so fresh-looking with gobs of golden pollen. The flowers lack nectar, so it's pollen alone that attracts (and rewards) bees and flies that function as pollinators. If the flower fails to attract a pollinator within 3-4 days, the anthers curl into the stigma brushing pollen onto its surface, thereby self-pollinating the flower, a useful backup mechanism since low temperatures and wet conditions frequently reduce insect activity in early spring .

Bloodroot in bloom

Today I saw my first bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) of the year. It was a cool, somewhat cloudy morning so the large white flowers were slow to open fully. This time of year the lobed leaf at the base of each flower stalk has a vertical orientation whereas in summer the leaf gets even larger and has a horizontal orientation (to better capture light under a leafy canopy). Bees and flies occasionally visit the nectarless flowers for pollen, and in the process, may function as pollinators.

Bloodroot in bloom

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) in bloom is one of the early signs of spring, a wildflower that plant enthusiasts seek out and cherish. Each solitary flower has 8-24 large white petals with numerous golden anthers.

Bees and flies visit the nectarless flowers for pollen and in the process often pollinate the flowers. On cloudy days and at night the flowers close up tight (perhaps because pollinators aren't active then).

At the base of each flower stalk is an upright blue-green leaf with a deeply lobed margin. As the growing season progresses the leaf gets larger and usually takes on a horizontal orientation.

Why the name bloodroot? Its thick rhizome oozes an orange-red juice when cut. Native Americans used this juice as body paint and as a dye for clothing.