Yet another wildflower I haven’t noticed in past Springs.
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis, also known as bloodroot or bloodwort, is named for its blood-red root. I pulled one up. There’s no mistaking this plant. The root even seemed a bit liquid, its red sap oozing as if it were bleeding. Native Americans used this as a dye and for some medicinal purposes, though it is considered toxic with a structure similar to morphine. From William Cook’s 1869 work The Physiomedical Dispensatory:
The U. S. Dispensatory says four persons lost their lives at Bellevue Hospital, New York, by drinking largely of blood root tincture in mistake for ardent spirits […].
Ardent spirits; with a structure similar to morphine? I bet it seemed “ardent”. It sure is a pretty flower, though!
According to Wikipedia (see link above. Like everything in Wiki, needs further research), the bloodroot derived toxin sanguinarine is allowed in commercially prepared toothpaste. Uh?
Four Deer Oak 
That’s a lovely photo of the flower. The news that its extract can be used in toothpaste was both interesting and yucky. lol
I thought so too! Makes you wonder what is in the products we use everyday. But, I know that most medicines are originally derived from plants. Yucky that it is considered a toxin, yet is used.
Great post today. I really enjoyed your photos very much. Thanks for sharing.
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I love the fact you included information about the flower… thanks.
Thanks for stopping by & commenting, Suzi.