Herbs, perennial, scapose, from thick rhizomes; sap orange to red. Leaves 1, or few and rosulate, sheathing-petiolate; blade 1× palmately lobed. Inflorescences terminal, 1(-3)-flowered; bracts absent. Flowers: sepals 2, distinct; petals 6-12, unequal; stamens many; pistil 2-carpellate; ovary 1-locular; style ± distinct; stigma 2-lobed. Capsules erect, 2-valved, dehiscing from base. Seeds few to many, arillate. x = 9.

Distribution

North America.

Discussion

Species 1

Sanguinaria is similar, and probably most closely related, to Eomecon Hance of eastern Asia, which is monotypic also.

Selected References

Greene, E. L. 1905. Suggestions regarding Sanguinaria. Pittonia 5: 306-308.

Harshberger, J. W. 1903. Juvenile and adult forms of bloodroot. Pl. World 6: 106-108.

Nieuwland, J. A. 1910. Notes on the seedlings of bloodroot. Amer. Midl. Naturalist 1: 199-203.

Lower Taxa

Sanguinaria canadensis