Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 135 



BLOODROOT (Sanguinaria canadensis). Closely 

 following on the heels of our handsome Hepatica, we 

 find the delicate flowered Bloodroot unfurling its 

 leaves and expanding its flowers in rich, rocky, op- 

 en woodland. Almost before snow has left, the 

 flower stalk bearing a little bud, closely wrapped in 

 a delicate silvery leaflet, forces its way up through 

 the earth and dead leaves. The leaf unfurls and the 

 flower stalk grows rapidly, forcing the bud up out of 

 its protection; it now opens, the two sheathing sepals 

 falling off, exposing to our view an exquisitely 

 pure, white, delicate blossom; the eight petals are 

 partially closed on dull days, but in sunshine spread 

 wide open, one and one-half inches in diameter, ex- 

 posing the golden center made up of the numerous, 

 yellow-tipped stamens. The flowers are very deli- 

 cate; the petals stay but two or three days anyway, 

 and a breath of wind may blow them off sooner. 



After the flower is gone, the leaf developes rapidly 

 and becomes very large and imposing, with many 

 divisions and lobes. The root is reddish and is filled 

 with a blood-like juice, as is also the stem. This is 

 now used in medicines and was formerly used by In- 

 dians for coloring purposes. Bloodroot is common 

 from N. S. to Minn, and southwards.. It flowers in 

 April and May. 



PRICKLY POPPY (Argemone mexicana) is a hand- 

 some Mexican plant found in the southwestern por- 

 tions of the United States and, as an escape, in other 

 portions. It has a prickly stem from one to two feet 

 high. The stemless leaves have sharp lobes, also 

 armed with prickles. The flower is bright yellow, 

 has four petals and numerous orange-tipped stamens. 

 The later fruit capsule is about one inch in length 

 and is covered with prickly bristles. The flowers 

 give no nectar, but plenty of pollen to the bees that 

 visit them. 



