Description: This native perennial plant is about 6"
tall. It produces only basal leaves that are about 4-5" wide and across. Each
of these basal leaves is wrapped around the stalk of a single flower (sometimes
two
stalks are produced) as the flower begins to bloom. The basal leaves continue
to unfold to their fullest extent as the flowers wither away. Each basal leaf
is orbicular in outline and palmately veined, with 5-9 major lobes and several
minor lobes along the undulating margins. The palmate venation is fairly
prominent and provides the rather succulent leaves with a wrinkly appearance.
This venation is even more conspicuous on the lower surface, providing a
reticulated appearance. The color of the leaves on the upper surface is light
green, sometimes with greyish or bluish tints, while the lower surface is
whitish green. The round petioles are about 4" long and rather stout. The
foliage of this plant is glabrous and glaucous. The flowering stalk is round,
stout, hairless, and sometimes slightly reddish, terminating in a single large
flower. This stalk is about 3-4" tall when the flower begins to bloom. The
flower is about 1½–3" across, consisting of 8-16 white petals, a
green oval pistil, and numerous stamens with prominent yellow anthers. The
pistil has a pale yellow stigma at its apex. There are 2 light green sepals
that are nearly as long as the petals, but they fall off the flowering stalk as
soon as the flower begins to bloom. The blooming period occurs from early to
mid-spring and lasts about 2 weeks. Each flower remains in bloom for only 1 or
2 days (when it is sunny), and produces a fragrant scent. The seed capsule
eventually turns yellow and falls to the ground, splitting open to release the
seeds. The root system consists of thick reddish rhizomes with coarse fibrous
roots. Both the foliage and the rhizomes contain an acrid reddish juice. This
plants often forms vegetative colonies.
Cultivation: During the early part of the spring, it
is important that this plant has access to some sunlight, otherwise the flowers
may fail to open. After the trees begin to form leaves later in the spring,
considerable shade is tolerated. The soil should be fertile and loamy, with
average moisture levels (by woodland standards). The foliage is not affected by
disease significantly, although it will gradually wither away as the summer
progresses.
Range &
Habitat: Bloodroot is a common plant that occurs in most counties of
Illinois (see
Distribution
Map). Habitats include mesic deciduous woodlands, in areas with slopes
(ravines, bluffs, valley bottoms), as well as where the ground is reasonably
level.
Faunal Associations: The
nectar and pollen of the flowers attract various kinds of bees, including
honeybees, Little Carpenter bees, Halictid bees, and Andrenid bees. The nectar
also attracts bee-flies that are active during the spring (e.g., Bombylius
major), while small Syrphid flies feed on the pollen. Sometimes beetles are
also attracted to the pollen. The seeds are distributed by ants because of
their fleshy appendages. This is a common method of seed distribution for
woodland wildflowers, as wind speeds are greatly reduced in wooded areas. The
foliage and rhizomes contain an acrid reddish juice and are toxic.
Consequently, this plant is not often eaten by mammalian
herbivores.
Photographic Location: A
partially-shaded flower garden near Busey Woods in Urbana,
Illinois.
Comments: Bloodroot is one
of the spring ephemerals of deciduous woodlands. It has unusual-looking, but
attractive foliage, and very showy flowers, although they are short-lived.
Across different localities, there are significant variations in this plant,
involving such characteristics as the number of petals and size of the flowers,
and the appearance of the foliage. On rare occasions, light pink flowers are
produced. The Amerindians created a red dye from the juice of the rhizomes. The
juice of plants in this genus possesses anti-bacterial properties with possible
pharmaceutical applications, including an anti-plaque
mouthwash.