56 WILD FLOWER FAMILIES 
and spotless white. As it appears above the leaf 
the young flower shows two large sepals that 
remind one of the Poppy relationship of the 
species. These greenish white sepals, however, 
are caducous, being attached to the stalk just 
below the flower in such a fragile manner that 
the mere opening of the petals breaks them off. 
Even the petals remain for but a little season: 
they soon fall away and leave the tiny fruits on the 
end of the flower stalk. When the sun shines 
brightly the petals project horizontally, but when 
it is near the horizon or hidden by rain clouds 
they become vertical. 
The Bloodroot blossoms are freely visited for 
pollen by small bees and certain flies. Cross- 
pollination generally results because in the newly 
opened flowers the stigmas mature before the 
anthers shed their pollen. There seems to be no 
nectar and the musky odor of the blossom, at least 
to human smell, is not noticeable out of doors. 
The way in which the plants grow in clusters 
renders the flowers much more conspicuous than 
they would be singly; while by blossoming so 
early, before the leaves appear upon the trees 
above them, they are sure to get the benefit of 
all the sunshine that comes to earth during the 
‘uncertain April weather. 
After the petals have fallen the fruit ripens 
and splits apart and the leaves continue to grow 
