Bloodroot

Description:

It is a stemless,, rhizomatous, native wildflower which blooms in early spring. It spreads over time in the wild to form large colonies on the forest floor. Each flower stalk has one palmate, deeply-scalloped, grayish-green, basal leaf. As the flower blooms, the leaf unfurls. Leaves continue to grow in size after bloom & sometimes to as much as 9" across. All parts of the plant exude a bright reddish sap when cut.

Habitat:

Spotted along the Old Indian Hiking Trail at Tamarac NWR. It was growing near the ground in a shaded area of hardwood trees.

Notes:

The sap is poisonous if ingested.