Sanguinaria canadensis |
Native Region: Eastern North America
Zone Range: 4-9
Preferred Climate: Shady woodland/garden sites; well draining average soil.
Harvest Date: Saturday 10 September, 2011
Seed count: 10-12
Description:
A rare spring beauty. Distinctive lobed leaf, single white flowers whose fleeting beauty must be enjoyed in April (here). Quite a stunning sight when large colonies form via seedlings and/or, if it loves you, slowly spreads via creeping rhizomes. Called Bloodroot for the reddish orange sap that seeps from the thick rhizomes when cut. Once used as face paint by First Nations to as recently in disinfecting mouthwashes. Likes dappled sun, but can take a few hours of full sun. Don't place in overly damp areas nor overwater as this leads to root rot. Survives our west coast conditions just fine.
Notes:
Bees discovered the patch and made quick work in harvesting its pollen. I should have great pollination and seed set this year!
Cultivation:
Soak seed 24 hours. Place seed in a baggie containing a few tablespoons of moistened medium of equal parts peat and coarse sand. Cold stratify at 5C for 30 days then germinate at 20 C. Prick out seedlings and transplant as they emerge. Likes growing in clumps with its own kind. What ever doesn't germinate this round of germination treatment will sprout in the second or third round of treatment.
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