Wild-Flower Study 



503 



"Bloodroots, whose rolled-up leaves ef you o-ncurl 

 Each on em's cradle to a baby pearl." — Lowell. 



Photo by O. L. Foster. 



BLOODROOT 



Teacher's Story 



"What time tlie earliest ferns unfold, 

 And meadow cowslips count tltcir gold; 

 A countless multitude they stood, 

 A Milky Way -within- the wood." — Danske Dandridge. 



NLY a few generations ago, and this 

 land of ours was peopled by those who 

 found it fitting to paint their bodies to 

 represent their mental or spiritual 

 conditions or intentions. For this 

 purpose they had studied the plants 

 of our forests to learn the secrets of 

 the dyes which they yielded, and a 

 dye that would remain on the flesh 

 permanently, or until it wore off, was 

 highly prized. Such a dye was found 

 in the bloodroot, a dye appropriate in 

 its color to represent a thirst for blood ; 

 and with it they made their war paint, and with it they ornamented 

 their tomahawks to symbolize their sanguinary purpose. 



The Indian warriors have passed away from our forests, and the forests 

 themselves are passing away, but the bloodroot still lingers, growing 

 abundantly in rich moist woods or in shaded areas in glades, borders of 

 meadows and fence corners. Its beautiful white flowers open to the 

 morning sun in early April, calling the hungry bees to come for pollen; 

 for, like man)' other early flowers, it offers no nectar. Probably many of 

 the little wild bees prefer pollen to nectar at this time of year, for it is an 



